In the early hours of New Year's Day 2022, a festive outdoor bonfire party in Spring Grove, Virginia, turned into a scene of tragedy. Devon Clanton, a 22-year-old male from Dinwiddie County, was one of two individuals shot during the gathering. The event, held in the 8600 block of Ellis Road, was attended by a large crowd estimated to be over 200 people.
Responding to the shooting at approximately 12:30 a.m., Prince George County police officers discovered two gunshot victims in a grassy
field. One victim, Tramaz Tynes, a 20-year-old from Surry County, was pronounced dead at the scene. Devon Clanton was transported to VCU Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. As officers arrived, many attendees were quickly leaving the area.
The investigation into the double homicide led police to identify a suspect. On January 20, 2022, the Prince George County Police Department arrested 20-year-old Maurice Taylor Jr. of Portsmouth. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Devon Clanton's death. At the time of his arrest, Taylor was being held at the Portsmouth City Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Maurice Taylor Jr. faced several other charges, including use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, reckless handling of a firearm, obstruction of justice, threatening to kill or injure, and brandishing a firearm. Authorities indicated that the investigation was ongoing and that additional charges were anticipated. Information regarding the trial and conviction of Maurice Taylor Jr. is not available in the provided sources.
