NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A 23-year-old man was arrested on Christmas day for the deadly shooting of another man in Newport News, police said.
Keondre Lashawn LeBeauf was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and robbery, according to the Newport News Police Department.
The shooting happened on Dec. 17 in the 1100 block of 28th Street, which is in the Chestnut area of the city, near Roanoke Avenue and U.S. Route 60.
Police responded to the area around 9:45 p.m. that day for a reported shooting and found 29-year-old Godfrey Junior Davidson suffering from several gunshot wounds. He died where the shooting happened, police said.
Newly filed court documents reveal the moments leading up to the shooting. LeBeauf is accused of killing Davidson and stealing his phone and money.
Documents said Davidson’s girlfriend told police she was texting him that night as he walked to the Quick Save Food Mart on Chestnut Avenue. She told police she accessed Davidson’s email account and noticed he took out $40 from an ATM.
That night, she also got an alert stating Davidson’s cell phone couldn’t be tracked on the Find My iPhone app. Video surveillance from the store shows Davidson being followed by someone.
Records said LeBeauf told Davidson "Empty your phone, empty your phone." The witness said they heard at least four shots and later saw LeBeauf run away.
Moments after police roped off the crime scene, an officer noticed LeBeauf trying to cross the crime scene tape. He then began to argue with officers when he couldn’t get through. Officers say he appeared to be intoxicated. Officers took LeBeauf into custody that night. While searching LeBeauf, an officer removed $40 from his pocket. LeBeauf is also charged with public intoxication.
“I want to thank the community, officers, and detectives who put in countless hours, as well as the investment made in technology used to help make this arrest,” Police Chief Steve Drew wrote in a news release.
The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this shooting can submit an anonymous tip by calling the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887 or by using P3 Tips online.