Suspect apprehended in homicide

A 24-year-old South Boston man has been arrested and charged in a deadly Thursday night shooting at Westside Village Apartments.

“After working nearly around the clock since Thursday night, police obtained arrest warrants on Saturday evening for 24-year-old Rashad Stovall of South Boston,” South Boston Police Chief Bryan L. Young wrote in a Sunday evening news release.

Stovall was apprehended at a home in Chesapeake without incident. He’s facing charges of second-degree murder, possession of a firearm after being convicted of a violent felony and use of a firearm in the commission of murder, Young reported.

He’s being held without bond.

Young said Stovall did not have a weapon in his possession when he was apprehended. No weapon was found at the scene either, Young added, but numerous empty pistol cartridges were located.

“We cannot confirm the firearm used in the murder is in police custody. We also are unable to confirm any motives at this time,” the police chief told the Gazette via email on Monday.

It was shortly before 11:30 p.m. Thursday when officers responded to the shooting at the apartments on Sinai Road. When they arrived, police found 32-year-old Lamar Ballou of South Boston dead. The body was discovered in the parking lot near Building 9 at the complex.

Numerous witnesses reported the crime, according to the South Boston Police Chief, who noted they had receive more calls and tips on this case than they normally receive.

Authorities believe that Stovall and Ballou were “acquaintances” and credit the public for helping to identify and locate Stovall. He was “identified very early in the investigation as a possible suspect.”

“This incident highlights the importance of the public working alongside of the police,” Young said. “We want to thank the community for all of their help. There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we all work together to safeguard our community.”

South Boston Police Department investigator Cameron Collie is handling the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Halifax County Crime Line at 434-476-8445. Callers may remain anonymous.