VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Three people have been arrested in connection to a shooting last month that left an 8-year-old Virginia Beach boy seriously hurt, which the city's police chief says could be gang-related.
Landyn Davis was shot in the head by a stray bullet while he was playing video games inside his Peele Court home on the evening of Feb. 13. Landyn was placed in a medically-induced coma for several days, and his parents say he is making strides on a long road to recovery.
On Friday, Virginia Beach police said two men and a woman are now charged in connection to the shooting:
- 21-year-old Toriyon Cook of Chesapeake: arrested and charged with Felony Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Felony Use of a Firearm, Felony Conspiracy, and 24 Counts of Felony Maliciously Discharge a Firearm into a Dwelling.
- 24-year-old Jerry Davis of Chesapeake: arrested and charged with Felony Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Felony Use of a Firearm, Felony Conspiracy, and 24 Counts of Felony Maliciously Discharge a Firearm into a Dwelling.
- 21-year-old Jakyra Epperson of Norfolk was arrested one day after the shooting on Feb. 14. She was charged with Felony Attempt to Conceal / Destroy Evidence and Felony Conspiracy to Conceal / Destroy Evidence.
During a Friday afternoon news conference, Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate shared more details about the investigation into the shooting, saying it is believed there were gang connections in the incident. He explained that investigators believe other people may have played a part in the shooting and additional charges could come.
According to Neudigate, a separate person with connections to that community was believed to be the intended target, not the child, but the motive of the shooting isn't known. It is believed the intended target was outside the residence on the day of the shooting.
Chief Neudigate says investigators arrested Epperson the day after the shooting of Feb. 14. Cook and Davis were arrested just this week.
Court documents say investigators placed Cook at the scene because he dropped his phone.
“To have your child, as parents, inside your residence, where you’re doing the right thing and to have this happen, I mean, it tears at our heartstrings." the chief said. "We pray that he will recover from this.”
Officials with the Virginia Beach Police Department explained that Cook and Davis' 24 counts of felony maliciously discharging a firearm into a dwelling stem from finding 24 shell casings.
Davis and Cook are next due in court on March 21, while Epperson has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 26.
Landyn's mother, Emily Rigsby, tells 13News Now her son has made strides in his recovery, and she is relieved police have made arrests.
"It's so amazing not only do we not have to worry about these people still being on the street that did this to my son, but potentially them doing it to somebody else's house and their child getting hurt or their family member," Rigsby said. "It's just a really good feeling."
Landyn's father, Steven Davis, says his son is getting stronger each day. He says Landyn is now spending up to two hours in a wheelchair a day.
“He’s over here inspiring doctors and blowing their mind how his recovery has been going so well the last three weeks," Landyn's father said.
Virginia Beach police are still asking anyone with information about the shooting on Peele Court to come forward. Investigators opened an anonymous digital evidence portal, where people can upload photos and videos related to the shooting.
Virginia Beach Crime Solvers announced up to a $5,000 reward for information that would lead to an arrest. Police did not say if any tipsters provided information that led to the arrests or if the reward would be collected.