Bad Girls Club star Deshayla Harris has been identified as one of two people who died during Friday night's shootings in Virginia Beach. Harris was a bystander in one of the three separate shootings that happened in Virginia Beach that night, police said.
"We do believe that she truly is, at this point in time, an innocent victim that was probably struck by stray gunfire in some regards," Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said at a press conference, according to People.
VBPD releases 2nd update to overnight shootings. @CityofVaBeach
pic.twitter.com/KrN0XGmzNf— Virginia Beach PD (@VBPD) March 27, 2021
The first shooting of the night appeared to be caused by a fight among a group of people, CNN reported. While responding to the first incident, police heard shots nearby and found Harris, who died at the scene. According to FOX23, the death of Harris isn't believed to be related to the earlier incident.
Harris has been receiving tributes from her colleagues and fans around the world. Key Hamilton, one of Harris' co-stars on Bad Girls Club, paid tribute on Instagram and showed remorse for a dispute she wasn't able to resolve with her.
"No matter how much I refused to talk to you, you never took no for an answer. You popped up to my show just to prove fixing our friendship meant something to you," Hamilton wrote. "Hardest part about losing you is I never fully forgave you. I literally let that TV s**t stand between us building a connection outside of tv. You didn't deserve this man. This s**t jus don't feel real. I'm sick affffff. Rest easy Babygirl."
Bad Girls Club expressed its sorrow in a statement on Twitter.
"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Deshayla's family and loved ones," the show wrote.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Deshayla's family and loved ones.https://t.co/SwPmLnA5F6
— Bad Girls Club (@BGConOxygen) March 28, 2021
According to TMZ, Harris appeared on Season 17 of Bad Girls Club, which was dubbed as "East Meets West." The Norfolk, Virginia native was known on the show as Firecracker Fashionista.
In another encounter that happened nearby around the same time, police shot and killed 25-year-old Donovon Lynch, who they described as an armed citizen.
According to Neudigate, who spoke at a news conference on Saturday, the officer who shot Lynch did not have his body camera turned on.
"As much as we would like to be transparent — we pride ourselves on being accountable and responsive — I do not have the answers that the community is looking for in regards to this death right now," the chief said.
In regards to reports of Lynch being armed, Neudigate said a firearm was "recovered in the vicinity of where this incident occurred."
Friends and family are mourning the loss of the 25-year-old.
"A father's dream son! Intelligent, handsome, a scholar, an athlete, an entrepreneur, and loved by all he came in contact with," Lynch's father, Wayne Lynch, said in a statement to WAVY. "Rest In Peace Don!"
The man killed in shooting event at beach is 25 year old Donovon Lynch. His father Wayne confirmed and sent me this:
“A father’s dream son!
Intelligent, handsome, a scholar, an athlete, an entrepreneur, and loved by all he came in contact with Rest In Peace Don!” @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/qwsla1tb37— Andy Fox (@AndyFoxWAVY) March 27, 2021
Ten people were injured in the chaos on Friday. Ahmon Adams, 22, Devon Dorsey Jr., 20, and 18-year-old Nyquez Baker have been arrested in connection with the first shooting.
