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Powhatan homeowner catches murder suspect - holds him at gunpoint for police.
August 5th, 2008
Man is arrested in uncle’s killing
Family is left heartbroken and mystified by shooting Friday night in driveway
Sunday, Aug 03, 200
Powhatan County authorities yesterday arrested a man accused of the shotgun slaying of his uncle Friday night.
David Woodfin Jr., 21, of Powhatan was apprehended yesterday afternoon 4 miles from where the shooting took place in a neighborhood off Huguenot Trail in central Powhatan.
Donald P. Malkemus Jr., 49, was fatally shot in the driveway of his parents’ home in the 3100 block of French Hill Drive, family members say.
Suzanne Malkemus, the victim’s mother, said her son had just dropped her off at home after a birthday party for his 13-year-old son.
“He told me on the way home, ‘The most important thing in my life are my sons,’” she painfully recalled yesterday. “He was a wonderful son and a wonderful father. I’m so sorry this had to happen.”
Police responded Friday at 9:49 p.m. to the report of a fatal shooting at the home where Woodfin was visiting his grandparents. When authorities arrived, they discovered the body of Malkemus, a Powhatan resident and owner of a tree-service business.
Relatives said there had been a brief exchange between Malkemus and Woodfin before Malkemus got in his truck to leave.
“There was just a disagreement and things got out of hand,” said William Douglas Malkemus, the victim’s brother. “I think David was just trying to scare him and something happened that wasn’t supposed to happen. I don’t think he meant to do this.”
Suzanne Ridout, Malkemus’ sister, said her brother and Woodfin had gotten along relatively well, but she said the nephew owed his uncle money. Woodfin had previously worked for Malkemus, she said.
“He was just a good, hardworking man,” Ridout said of her brother. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
After an almost 16-hour search, Powhatan sheriff’s deputies arrested Woodfin yesterday about 1:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of Red Lane Road. He had been detained at gunpoint by a homeowner who recognized Woodfin after he rang the doorbell to ask to use the phone.
“With the help of the citizens, this was brought to a successful end,” said Powhatan Chief Deputy Daniel K. Giardini, who added that this was the second slaying in Powhatan in two months. Before this summer, the county had gone about five years without a homicide, he said.
Woodfin had been missing since just after the shooting, when he walked back into the house, dropped off the shotgun and took some money before leaving on foot, Ridout said.
Woodfin is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony. He’s being held without bond pending a court appearance Wednesday.
“This is a tragedy in a lot of different ways,” said Mary Catherine Malkemus, another sister of the victim, adding that her brother leaves behind a wife and two sons.
“Any way you turn, there’s no good outcome. It just doesn’t get much worse than this,” she said.
story courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Powhatan homeowner catches murder suspect - holds him at gunpoint for police.
August 5th, 2008
Man is arrested in uncle’s killing
Family is left heartbroken and mystified by shooting Friday night in driveway
Sunday, Aug 03, 200
Powhatan County authorities yesterday arrested a man accused of the shotgun slaying of his uncle Friday night.
David Woodfin Jr., 21, of Powhatan was apprehended yesterday afternoon 4 miles from where the shooting took place in a neighborhood off Huguenot Trail in central Powhatan.
Donald P. Malkemus Jr., 49, was fatally shot in the driveway of his parents’ home in the 3100 block of French Hill Drive, family members say.
Suzanne Malkemus, the victim’s mother, said her son had just dropped her off at home after a birthday party for his 13-year-old son.
“He told me on the way home, ‘The most important thing in my life are my sons,’” she painfully recalled yesterday. “He was a wonderful son and a wonderful father. I’m so sorry this had to happen.”
Police responded Friday at 9:49 p.m. to the report of a fatal shooting at the home where Woodfin was visiting his grandparents. When authorities arrived, they discovered the body of Malkemus, a Powhatan resident and owner of a tree-service business.
Relatives said there had been a brief exchange between Malkemus and Woodfin before Malkemus got in his truck to leave.
“There was just a disagreement and things got out of hand,” said William Douglas Malkemus, the victim’s brother. “I think David was just trying to scare him and something happened that wasn’t supposed to happen. I don’t think he meant to do this.”
Suzanne Ridout, Malkemus’ sister, said her brother and Woodfin had gotten along relatively well, but she said the nephew owed his uncle money. Woodfin had previously worked for Malkemus, she said.
“He was just a good, hardworking man,” Ridout said of her brother. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
After an almost 16-hour search, Powhatan sheriff’s deputies arrested Woodfin yesterday about 1:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of Red Lane Road. He had been detained at gunpoint by a homeowner who recognized Woodfin after he rang the doorbell to ask to use the phone.
“With the help of the citizens, this was brought to a successful end,” said Powhatan Chief Deputy Daniel K. Giardini, who added that this was the second slaying in Powhatan in two months. Before this summer, the county had gone about five years without a homicide, he said.
Woodfin had been missing since just after the shooting, when he walked back into the house, dropped off the shotgun and took some money before leaving on foot, Ridout said.
Woodfin is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony. He’s being held without bond pending a court appearance Wednesday.
“This is a tragedy in a lot of different ways,” said Mary Catherine Malkemus, another sister of the victim, adding that her brother leaves behind a wife and two sons.
“Any way you turn, there’s no good outcome. It just doesn’t get much worse than this,” she said.
story courtesy of the Richmond Times-Dispatch
