On a tragic August day in 2018, the life of 19-year-old Kentroyia Fletcher was cut short in a burst of violence at her place of work in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The young woman, born on February 15, 1999, was working as a cook at a McDonald's in the bustling Central Park shopping center when the incident occurred. Friends and family remember her as a beautiful soul with a gorgeous smile who loved to laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest.
She had recently graduated from James Monroe High School and had aspirations of furthering her education in the nursing field.
The shooting happened during the busy rush hour on Wednesday, August 8, 2018. Kentroyia was shot inside the restaurant and was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries the following day, on Thursday, August 9, 2018.
The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Anthony Ellis of Fredericksburg. Witnesses saw him flee the scene in a black GMC Yukon XL. A patrol officer later located the abandoned vehicle. Police then received a report of a stolen Chevy Silverado utility truck from a location within walking distance of where the Yukon was found, leading them to believe the suspect had switched vehicles.
Later that evening, a tip led law enforcement to the stolen truck parked in Spotsylvania County. As officers from the Fredericksburg Police Department, Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office, and Virginia State Police converged on the area, they heard a single gunshot from a nearby wooded area. In the woods, they found Anthony Ellis, alone, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Despite lifesaving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
