Tyquan Percell Ridges, a 20-year-old Black male affectionately known as 'Fat Daddy,' was a beloved member of the Petersburg, Virginia community. Remembered for his kind heart and infectious smile, he was a 2019 graduate of Petersburg High School and was deeply cherished by his family and friends. His life, however, was tragically cut short on the evening of April 12, 2022, in a violent encounter that unfolded at a local convenience store.
Around 6:55 p.m.
on that Tuesday, a chaotic scene erupted at the Petersburg Food Mart and Citgo station on East Washington Street. An altercation escalated into a triple shooting, and in the midst of the gunfire, Ridges was struck multiple times. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene, his life ending abruptly in a public place. Two other individuals were also shot in the incident but were found at nearby locations with non-life-threatening injuries. The event sent shockwaves through the neighborhood, leaving behind a scene of violence that was captured on surveillance footage.
In the immediate aftermath, the Petersburg Police launched an investigation that quickly led to a breakthrough. They identified 19-year-old Dwight Delano Scott Jr. as the suspect in Ridges's death. Scott was promptly arrested and faced serious charges, including first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was taken into custody and held in jail as the legal proceedings against him commenced. The community was left to mourn the loss of a young life, remembering Tyquan Ridges for the joy and love he brought to those who knew him during his brief time.
