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Girls heard shooting that killed Henrico student: 'It made my heart break'

'I don’t want to play here no more. I want it to be in memory of him.'
Footage from a doorbell camera shows police investigating a shooting that killed a Henrico teen early April 9, 2022.
Posted at 7:42 PM, Apr 09, 2022
and last updated 2022-04-10 11:21:05-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Two cousins at a sleepover at their grandmother's house heard the shooting that killed a teenager in his eastern Henrico County neighborhood early Saturday.

Police were called to the 1900 block of Glenwilton Drive in eastern Henrico just after 12:10 a.m. for a report of shooting, according to Lt. Matthew Pecka with Henrico Police.

Officers, who have not released the teen's name due to his age, said the case is as an active homicide investigation.

The 16-year-old was a student at Highland Springs High School and played on the Springer's basketball team, which won the state championship less than a month ago, WTVR CBS 6 has learned.

RELATED: Teen killed in Henrico shooting is Highland Springs High student

Jaida Taylor and Nyasia Barrett.
Jaida Taylor and Nyasia Barrett.

Jaida Taylor, 9, and Nyasia Barrett, 10, recounted what they witnessed as they watched the scene unfold in their grandmother's front yard.

Their grandmother has a doorbell camera, which showed police responding to the incident and captured a woman screaming, “that’s my son.”

“I didn’t hear no yelling or anything — just pow pow," Jaida remembered. "We looked out the window and saw a boy lying right there.”

Footage from a doorbell camera shows police investigating a shooting that killed a Henrico teen early April 9, 2022.
Nyasia Barrett and Jaida Taylor watch from their grandmother's front porch as police investigating a shooting that killed a Henrico teen early April 9, 2022.

The girls, which the camera showed running out to the front porch, said they were left shaken by what they saw,

The teenage victim lived in a house behind their grandmother's home, according to the girls.

Lt. Pecka said the teenager was shot and that the suspect fled the area.

The boy was taken to an area hospital where he died of his injuries, Pecka said.

Jaida Taylor and Nyasia Barrett
Jaida Taylor and Nyasia Barrett.

“In memory of him, I don’t want to play here no more. I want it to be in memory of him,” Nyasia said.

“I was getting ready to cry because of how hard that lady was yelling and crying," Jaida said. "It made my heart break.”

Jaida and Nyasia said that after what happened early Saturday, they see the place where they used to play differently.

“In memory of him, I don’t want to play here no more," Nyasia said. "I want it to be in memory of him.”

Flowers and balloons left in memory of a Henrico teen killed in his eastern Henrico County neighborhood.
Flowers and balloons left in memory of a Henrico teen killed in his eastern Henrico County neighborhood.

The girls said they have been praying for the boy's family.

“I hope you rest in peace... and I hope your mother is OK,” Nyasia said.

Police urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

"This is yet another tragic incident. Working together, we can keep our community safe. Call police if you have information," Pecka said.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call Detective Ensor at 804-501-5794, Crime Stoppers at 804-501-5000 or submit tips via smartphone at P3Tips.com.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.

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