In the early morning hours of December 13, 2019, the life of 18-year-old Tayvion Laquan Smith was tragically cut short in Onancock, Virginia. Just before 2 a.m., the Accomack County Sheriff's Office received a report of shots fired on Jacob Street. Responding deputies discovered the young male victim, known affectionately as 'Tay Man,' lying on the living room floor of his girlfriend's apartment with a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of first responders, he succumbed to his injuries.
At the time of his death, Smith was a recent graduate of Arcadia High School, having received his diploma in 2019, and was employed at Perdue Farms.
For years, the case remained unsolved, leaving a community searching for answers. Then, in May of 2023, a multi-jurisdictional grand jury returned indictments that led to a significant breakthrough. Eric Bruno Custis Jr., a then 26-year-old man from Greenbush, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of the crime. Initially, Custis entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, and a jury trial was scheduled.
In a later court appearance in March 2024, Eric Bruno Custis Jr. changed his plea to guilty in the murder of Tayvion Smith. This admission was part of a plea agreement with the Commonwealth's Attorney. As part of the arrangement, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of no more than 15 years. During the proceedings, it was mentioned that Custis had visited the apartment earlier on the day of the shooting, but Smith was not present at that time. When the gunfire later erupted, other occupants of the apartment were able to escape to a back bedroom for safety. The prosecutor noted a belief that others may have been involved in the shooting. Sentencing for Custis was scheduled for May 2024, pending a presentence report.
