Pharrell is the mourning the loss of his cousin Donovon Lynch who was one of two people shot and killed during three separate shooting incidents in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Friday, March 26.) Lynch was fatally wounded by a Virginia Beach police officer who claimed he was wielding a handgun. The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the 25-year-old died after he was shot in the torso and thigh.
Pharrell took to Instagram and used his platform to ask for justice, writing alongside a photo of Lynch saying: “The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. He was a bright light and someone who always showed up for others. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency, honesty and justice they deserve. Virginia Beach is the epitome of hope and tenacity and, as a community, we will get through this and come out even stronger.”
The unidentified officer involved in Lynch’s death was placed on administrative assignment during a criminal investigation, which is standard procedure. The officer failed to activate his body camera during the fatal encounter for unknown reasons. Virginia Beach Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney said it will use its own investigators to look into the shooting. Following the criminal investigations, the police department’s internal affairs unit will conduct a policy and procedures review to determine what course of action to take.
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