Arrest made in deadly I-85 shooting of 19-year-old in Dinwiddie County over a year later
DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia State Police has made an arrest in connection to a deadly shooting from last year that occurred on Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County. The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Richmond Field Office has made an arrest in connection with a deadly shooting on I-85 that took place on Aug. 1, 2023. PREVIOUSLY: Shooting death of 19-year-old in Dinwiddie still unsolved 1 year later According to state police, 20-year-old Zayah Phelps of Dinwiddie was arrested on Oct. 19, 2024, for a probation violation of a felony offense in Hopewell. Indictments were provided on Nov. 19, 2024, and sent to Riverside Regional Jail on Monday, Nov. 25. Police confirmed that Phelps has been charged with multiple offenses in relation to the homicide, including: 1st Degree Murder Use of a firearm in commission of a felony Shooting from a vehicle Shooting at an occupied vehicle Reckless handling of a firearm Conspiracy to commit murder Attempted murder (front seat passenger) The victim of the shooting, 19-year-old T'Miya Ornique Murphy of Chesterfield was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Murphy's mother told 8News she had recently graduated from Thomas Dale High School before she was killed. She said she had dreams of becoming a nurse. “The Virginia State Police, along with our local law enforcement partners, worked diligently to piece together the evidence in this case and bring those responsible to justice,” said Amanda Mann, Commonwealth Attorney for Dinwiddie County, “We are committed to solving violent crimes and ensuring that those who commit such acts face the full weight of the law.” Phelps is currently held at Riverside Regional Jail for other charges unrelated to this incident. Additional court proceedings are pending.
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DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia State Police has made an arrest in connection to a deadly shooting from last year that occurred on Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Richmond Field Office has made an arrest in connection with a deadly shooting on I-85 that took place on Aug. 1, 2023.
PREVIOUSLY: Shooting death of 19-year-old in Dinwiddie still unsolved 1 year later
According to state police, 20-year-old Zayah Phelps of Dinwiddie was arrested on Oct. 19, 2024, for a probation violation of a felony offense in Hopewell. Indictments were provided on Nov. 19, 2024, and sent to Riverside Regional Jail on Monday, Nov. 25.
Police confirmed that Phelps has been charged with multiple offenses in relation to the homicide, including:
- 1st Degree Murder
- Use of a firearm in commission of a felony
- Shooting from a vehicle
- Shooting at an occupied vehicle
- Reckless handling of a firearm
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Attempted murder (front seat passenger)
The victim of the shooting, 19-year-old T'Miya Ornique Murphy of Chesterfield was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Murphy's mother told 8News she had recently graduated from Thomas Dale High School before she was killed. She said she had dreams of becoming a nurse.
“The Virginia State Police, along with our local law enforcement partners, worked diligently to piece together the evidence in this case and bring those responsible to justice,” said Amanda Mann, Commonwealth Attorney for Dinwiddie County, “We are committed to solving violent crimes and ensuring that those who commit such acts face the full weight of the law.”
Phelps is currently held at Riverside Regional Jail for other charges unrelated to this incident. Additional court proceedings are pending.
