Pharrell's Cousin Shot and Killed by Virginia Beach Police
Pharrell Williams is mourning the death of his cousin, who was fatally shot by police in Virginia Beach on Friday night.
Donovon Lynch, 25, was among those killed during three separate shootings that also claimed the life of Deshayla Harris and left eight people injured.
“The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure,” Pharrell tweeted Monday. “My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency they deserve. VA Beach is the epitome of hope and we will get through this.”
The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency they deserve. VA Beach is the epitome of hope and we will get through this. pic.twitter.com/npGxhbRwLk
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) March 29, 2021
The officer who fired the fatal shot as well as another who witnessed it claim Lynch was “brandishing a handgun at the time of the shooting.” Ammunition was found along with the gun, police said.
On Monday, Virginia Beach PD released a statement which included photos of the weapons recovered after the shooting. “An independent witness affirmed that Mr. Lynch had been in possession of a handgun earlier on the evening of March 26, 2021,” read the statement.
CORRECTION #VPBD Update to the March 26, 2021, Officer Involved Shooting pic.twitter.com/L1EPV4eK8Q
— Virginia Beach PD (@VBPD) March 29, 2021
Lynch had been an offensive lineman for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise during the 2017 and 2018 seasons before graduating in 2019.
Deshayla “Shay” Harris, 29, a cast member on “Bad Girls Club,” was also killed during the Virginia Beach shootings. She is believed to have been an innocent victim struck by stray gunfire.
Three men have been arrested in connection with the first shooting. They have each been charged with seven counts of felonious assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and reckless handling of a firearm.