In the late hours of a Sunday evening in Newport News, Virginia, the life of 18-year-old Dwayne Leroy Parker was tragically cut short. On March 8, 2015, police responded to calls of gunshots around 11:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Ivy Avenue and 9th Street. There, they found Parker, a young Black male, lying in the road, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators remained at the scene until the early morning hours, beginning the painstaking process of piecing together the events that led to the teenager's demise.
The investigation into Dwayne's death revealed a narrative of gang-related violence that had plagued the area. It was determined that he was a victim of a shooting carried out by members of a local gang known as the 36th Street Bang Squad. The motive appeared to be rooted in gang rivalries and an assertion of dominance within the community. Parker, who resided on 28th Street, was targeted as part of the gang's violent activities.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement intensified their efforts to dismantle the 36th Street Bang Squad, leading to a series of arrests. Through witness testimonies and forensic evidence, investigators identified Xavier 'BJ' Greene, a 26-year-old member of the gang, as one of the individuals responsible for Parker's murder. The subsequent legal proceedings were part of a larger federal gang conspiracy case aimed at curbing the rampant violence in Newport News.
The pursuit of justice for Dwayne Leroy Parker and other victims of the gang's reign of terror culminated in a significant conviction. Xavier 'BJ' Greene was found guilty on multiple charges, including the murder of Parker and two other teenagers. A federal judge handed down a severe penalty, sentencing Greene to seven life sentences for his role in the slayings, a move that marked a major victory for law enforcement and a step towards restoring a sense of peace to the community.
