RICHMOND, Va. – Heartbroken parents are pleading for justice after their daughter was found shot to death on a Richmond bike trail Wednesday morning.
Officers were called to the 4300 block of Williamsburg Road, near Gillies Creek Park, for a report of a person down on a bicycle path at approximately 10:13 a.m.
When officers arrived, they found 22-year-old Dominique Danzy shot to death on the bike path.
"I understand you should have forgiveness in your heart, but it's extremely hard for me to forgive someone who took the life of my precious daughter. Her future was open… she had the whole world at her fingertips," said Dominique’s father, Michum Danzy.
The 22-years-old lived most of her life in New Jersey. Within the past few years she relocated to Richmond, living with her mom and twin brother.
It was her twin’s gut feeling Wednesday morning that prompted them to call police, even though she hadn’t been missing 24 hours yet.
"Her brother really was insistent on me calling in a missing person report," said mom Raine Thomas.
"They took the report and then the police officer went to his car, I guess to log everything in, and he came back and said ‘does your daughter have a floral tattoo?’"
Thomas says her heart sank.
"I knew something was wrong. He said two detectives are coming to talk to you," recalled Thomas.
Those detectives would deliver the tragic news.
Richmond police identified 18-year-old Jamar Paxton Jr. as a suspect in connection to the murder.
Crime Insider sources tell Jon Burkett the two were in a relationship.
The US Marshal Fugitive Task Force arrested Paxton at a Colonial Heights motel Thursday night.
He has been charged with robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Police say additional charges are pending
"I am not going to get angry at anyone. I don't have hate in my heart, but this wasn't necessary, so unnecessary,” said a tearful Thomas.
Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call Major Crimes Det. J. Baynes at (804) 646-3617 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or www.7801000.com [7801000.com]. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.
