March 31, 2021
Pharrell Williams’ Cousin Killed in Virginia Beach Police-Shooting
Music producer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams is mourning after one of his family members was killed late last week in his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia.
According to NBC New York, the eclectic musician took to his Instagram account after his cousin Donovon Lynch was killed last week.
“The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. He was a bright light and someone who always showed up for others. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency, honesty and justice they deserve. Virginia Beach is the epitome of hope and tenacity and, as a community, we will get through this and come out even stronger.”
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In an update from the Virginia Beach Police Department, the statement identified the 25-year-old Lynch in an officer-involved shooting incident.
The department provided an additional update on Monday regarding the incident.
“Homicide detectives have now conducted interviews with the officer involved in the shooting death of Mr. Donovon Lynch, an officer who witnessed the incident, as well as independent witnesses. Both officers report that Mr. Lynch was brandishing a handgun at the time of the shooting. It was recovered at the scene. An independent witness affirmed that Mr. Lynch had been in possession of a handgun earlier on the evening of March 26, 2021.
“The specific actions which resulted in the shooting are part of the ongoing criminal investigation. Once the VBPD investigation is complete, all statements and evidence will be submitted to the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney (OCA). The OCA is conducting a separate investigation into this incident, independent of the Police Department.”
The police officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of the investigation.