PETERSBURG, Va. (WTVR) - Petersburg Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy in connection with a Friday night homicide.
According to police, the suspect is accused of killing 52-year-old Timothy M. Byrd, of Petersburg, during an altercation around 7:30 p.m. Friday in the 700 block of Halifax Street.
"I am really shocked, couldn't believe it," said George Stewart, who grew up with Byrd. "I just saw him the other day."
Stewart described his friend as a good-hearted person who would never let you down.
"If he got it, you got it, you know,” said Stewart. “That's the kind of person he was, a good man."
Friday evening police said Byrd got into a fight with the 16-year-old suspect.
During the fight, investigators said the teenager stabbed Byrd.
"We have a loss of a young man's life. We have a loss of a 16-year-old. That's now in the system," said Petersburg Police Chief John Dixon.
Dixon wouldn't go into the motive, but said detectives have been following up on a number of leads.
"Sometimes, people don't realize, it's like a puzzle, little bits of information will be that piece of information we need to continue to put together that puzzle,” said Chief Dixon.
The chief said investigators picked up the teenager 12 hours after the crime.
Dixon called it a testament to what happened when the public comes forward.
"Bad guys go, where we allow them to go for whatever reason. And if we say, we don't want those bad guys there anymore through whatever means,” Chief Dixon said. "If it's calling the police or getting with your neighborhood watches in order to keep that from happening. That's how we can help to continue to eliminate crime."
CBS 6's Sandra Jones spoke with Timothy Byrd’s mother who said her son was a sweet-hearted child and a great guy. She said you would not find a better person.
Investigators believe there my be others involved in Byrd’s murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 801-1212 or text tips to 274637 and use the code “PDCASH.”
Police said the 16-year-old suspect will be arraigned on 2nd degree murder in the Petersburg Juvenile district court on Tuesday afternoon.
