In the early morning hours of a Sunday in Danville, Virginia, the life of Lashanda Mecole Deshazo, a 43-year-old woman, was tragically cut short. On September 6, 2020, at approximately 3:22 a.m., police responded to a call of a shooting in the 800 block of Buford Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Deshazo deceased inside a residence, having sustained an apparent gunshot wound. Her body was subsequently transported to the Medical Examiner's Office in Roanoke for an autopsy.
This incident marked the fifth homicide in the city of Danville that year.
The investigation into Deshazo's death quickly progressed, with law enforcement working diligently to identify those responsible. Investigators assured the public that they did not believe the shooting was a random act and that Deshazo was the intended target. Within a day of the incident, Danville Police announced they had a person of interest in custody who had been arrested on unrelated charges. The department, along with partner law enforcement agencies, continued to gather evidence and follow leads in the developing case.
Soon after, police formally charged 35-year-old Raheem Supreme Chambliss of Danville with second-degree murder in connection with Deshazo's death. The warrant for his arrest was served while he was already being held at the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office Jail. According to authorities, Chambliss and Deshazo were acquainted, and the motive for the shooting was believed to be drug-related. Law enforcement officials stated they did not anticipate any other suspects being involved in the homicide. Chambliss was held without bail as the legal proceedings against him commenced.
