Virginia Beach Grand Jury Clears Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Pharrell William’s Cousin
Virginia Beach Grand Jury Clears Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Pharrell William’s Cousin
A Virginia Beach police officer who was involved in the killing of Pharrell Williams‘ cousin has been cleared by a grand jury and won’t be facing charges in the death.
According to The Associated Press, a special grand jury has found that Solomon D. Simmons, the Virginia Beach police officer who killed Williams’ cousin, Donovon Lynch, was justified in fatally shooting him.
Prosecutors said the police officer was justified as he was protecting himself and others after Lynch loaded a round into the chamber of his gun chamber and aimed his weapon toward a parking lot that was filled with numerous people and police officers.
“There were numerous people in that parking lot when Officer Simmons saw Mr. Lynch starting to come up with the firearm,” Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Colin Stolle said. ”So it is not only just whether the weapon was pointed at Officer Simmons. It was also —- are the people in the parking lot at risk?”
The 25-year-old Lynch, who hailed from Virginia Beach, was an offensive lineman for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise for two years while playing during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. He graduated in 2019.
Lynch’s father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Simmons and the city of Virginia Beach for $50 million for allegedly failing to train its officers.
The shooting took place at the Oceanfront earlier this year during a chaotic night of shootings – in the area, police were investigating three shootings that took place.
Donavan and a friend were running into their cars when Simmons “immediately, unlawfully and without warning” fired his gun twice, according to the lawsuit Lynch filed.
Police said Donavan was “brandishing” a handgun, something the Lynch family and a witness are denying.
Attorneys said the officer knew who Donovon was because he was a 6’5” 305-pound and a former offensive lineman for the University of Virginia College at Wise in addition to being Pharrell’s cousin.
It is also being reported the officer lack of training using death force, blaming the city for not training him well.
Virginia Beach Grand Jury Clears Police Officer Who Shot and Killed Pharrell William’s Cousin
