On a winter evening, while visiting family in Halifax County, Virginia, a Virginia Beach resident's life was cut short. Tyree Jermaine Bailey, a 45-year-old Black male, was shot and killed on December 26, 2021. The incident took place at a home on Union Church Road in Halifax. Authorities with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office initially responded to a 911 call around 7:30 p.m.
reporting a shooting that occurred during a break-in.
As investigators delved into the case, the initial report of a home invasion turned out to be misleading. It soon became clear that this was not a random act of violence. The investigation revealed that the victim, Tyree Bailey, and the individual responsible for the shooting were acquainted. The sheriff's office described the shooting as an isolated incident, reassuring the community that there was no broader threat. Bailey's body was sent to the Medical Examiner's Office in Roanoke for an autopsy to officially determine the cause of death.
The investigation, conducted by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Town of Halifax Police Department and Virginia State Police, quickly led to a suspect. Authorities arrested Danene Stokes, a 42-year-old woman from Halifax, in connection with Bailey's death. It was discovered that Stokes and Bailey had been in a prior relationship. Stokes was taken into custody without incident and charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Following her arrest, Danene Stokes was held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail under a $7,500 secured bond. The legal process moved forward, and Stokes was ultimately found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for her role in the death of Tyree Jermaine Bailey.
