In the autumn of 2017, a dispute at a Toano, Virginia apartment complex escalated into a fatal shooting, claiming the life of 20-year-old Adren Raheem Garnett. On the evening of October 23rd, police were called to the Burnt Ordinary Apartments following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered two individuals with gunshot wounds. Garnett, a resident of James City County, was transported to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to
his chest. An 18-year-old male was also found at the scene with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg and was subsequently airlifted to Riverside Regional Medical Center for treatment. Investigators determined that a dispute involving several people preceded the shooting and recovered numerous shell casings from the scene, suggesting that more than one weapon was fired. At least two vehicles and a nearby building were also struck by bullets during the altercation.
The investigation into Garnett's death led to charges against three individuals. Marques Raquan Stephens-Graves, 21, of James City County, was arrested and faced charges of second-degree murder, malicious wounding, use of a firearm while committing murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and active participation in a criminal street gang. Another man, 24-year-old Jordan Allen Davis of Newport News, was also arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Both Stephens-Graves and Davis were taken into custody and held without bond at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.
A third suspect, Malcom Shemar Lee, 19, also from James City County, was identified and arrest warrants were issued. Lee faced the same serious charges as Stephens-Graves: second-degree murder, malicious wounding, use of a firearm while committing murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and active participation in a criminal street gang. Initially, authorities sought the public's help in locating Lee, who was considered to be on the run following the deadly shooting. The investigation continued as law enforcement worked to bring all those involved in the death of Adren Raheem Garnett to justice.
