By Chris Menahan
Lucia Whalen Bremer, a 13-year-old girl described by those who knew her as “brave, hardworking, and kind to everyone,” was reportedly shot dead while walking in a Virginia suburb on Friday by a thug suspect who may get off easy and have his identity hidden forever because he’s a “juvenile.”
A boy has been arrested in connection with a shooting that killed an eighth grade girl in Virginia after a day-long manhunt.
Loved ones identified the victim as Lucia Whalen Bremer, a student at the Quioccasin Middle School in Richmond.
She was shot multiple times on Friday afternoon at the Gayton Forest West subdivision and died at an area hospital soon after.
Police said the suspected shooter fled the scene immediately after opening fire and was arrested on Saturday afternoon about a half-mile away.
His name has not been released due to his age but he is said to be facing charges including second-degree homicide, possession of a firearm by juvenile, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the Henrico Citizen.
Bremer’s family, who run a local produce business called Liberty Tree Farm, announced her death in a Facebook statement on Saturday.
Quioccasin Middle School Principal Melanie Phipps released a heartfelt statement remembering Bremer.
‘Lucia was funny. She loved to tell jokes and made people laugh. She was an amazing public speaker, and you would just listen in awe as she spoke. Lucia was wise beyond her years. Talking to her didn’t feel like talking to a middle schooler,’ Phipps wrote.
‘Lucia was exceptional; truly one-of-a-kind. She was brave, hardworking, and kind to everyone. Her smile would light up the entire room.
‘In fact, her mother told me that Lucia’s name means “light”, which is just the perfect way to describe her. She radiated happiness, and she loved our school.’
“Witnesses reported seeing two girls walking along a path, followed by the suspect, then hearing at least five shots,” The Henrico Citizen reported. “The suspect ran from the scene, while one of the girls fell after being struck. She later died at a local hospital.”
WATCH:
The overwhelming majority of media reports on the shooting neglected to give a description of the suspect but the Henrico Citizen reported that “police described the suspect as a young Black male with bushy hair shaved on the sides, about 5 foot 8 in height with a slight build (about 125 pounds).”
HPD is on scene of a shooting incident. Right now there is a heavy police presence in the area of Gayton Forest West subdivision where detectives and officers are actively investigating. pic.twitter.com/dE0hYXvWoL
— Henrico Police (@HenricoPolice) March 26, 2021
“His identity is being withheld because of his age,” Henrico Police said.
Henrico Police has the person in custody responsible for yesterday's homicide. Det. took a juvenile male into custody after obtaining petitions: 2nd-degree murder, poss. of a firearm by juv., and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
— Henrico Police (@HenricoPolice) March 27, 2021
There’s a great chance we will never know the shooter’s identity and he will be released in a few years (if even) due to being a “juvenile.”
In neighboring Maryland, two African-American teenage brothers viciously beat 59-year-old John Marvin Weed to death at a county fair and spit on his body because he declined to give them $1
John Marvin Weed, 59, was killed by two African-American teenage brothers on Sept 20, 2019 at a fair in Frederick, Maryland after declining to give them $1.
No Justice For John Weed: Teen Killers Tried As Juveniles After Judge Bars Media From Her Court https://t.co/HiwMe3zGDH
— Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) May 7, 2020
One killer was placed in a “behavior modification program” and the other got off with probation after a judge ruled they must be tried as juveniles.
UPDATE: Teen Killer of John Weed to Be Placed in 'Behavioral Modification Program' After Being Tried As A Juvenile https://t.co/HjDWjPdboF
— Chris Menahan ?? (@infolibnews) May 18, 2020