WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Prince William County police have identified four suspects in the shooting death of a student at Woodbridge Senior High School.
Three of those suspects have been arrested in connection with killing Brenden Wilson, 16, Monday afternoon.
Kawain Smalls, 20 of Woodbridge, is being held without bond on charges of murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Kymothy-Tyriq Wilson, 18 also of Woodbridge, and 17-year-old boy are both charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.
Police are still searching for the fourth suspect, who is also a juvenile.
“We know that this stemmed from a robbery/drug-related deal,” says Prince William County Police Officer Jonathan Perok.
Wilson was shot and killed along a path that students use as a shortcut between a neighborhood and the high school’s parking lot.
It is the second drug-related death tied to Woodbridge Senior High School in a little over a year.
In September 2013, student Kenny Diaz, 18, was stabbed and killed after a drug deal turned bad.
“We’re obviously going to have to take a closer look at that and discuss things with the chief,” Perok said, referring to drug violence surrounding the school.
Prince William County Police Chief Stephan Hudson is out of the country, scheduled to return later this month.
Meanwhile, at Woodbridge High, students returned to class Wednesday morning for the first time since the shooting occurred.
Many walked past the crime scene, which has been transformed into a memorial site filled with colorful flowers, stuffed animals and condolence cards.
Wilson’s friends paused, lowered their heads. Some wiped away tears.
Principal David Huckestein sent a letter to parents, calling the crime an “extremely difficult situation for both students and staff.”
He assured parents that counselors would be available to grieving students.
“I used to say Brenden was my godchild,” said family friend Wendy White, who stood at the memorial and wept.
“He was just a kid. A kid that went too soon,” she said. “I think the community now wants justice.”
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- Arrest made in death of teen in Prince William
- Grief counselors on hand after Woodbridge student’s death
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