The Tappahannock Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in the evening hours of Sunday November 16. At approximately 9:00 pm, officers responded to the Rappahannock Apartments on Winston Road for a shots fired call. When officers arrived they found a young black male who was unresponsive. The victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene was identified as Danny Gray Jones, Jr., 23 of Tappahannock. According to witnesses the shooter left the area with two small children. At approximately 9:30 p.m., a man called the Essex Sheriff’s Office and said he was the shooter and he had his two children with him and was at his home on Tanyard Drive. Officers from the police department, Essex Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police responded to the area and ordered the man to come outside. The suspect, identified as Terry Devon Finney, 26 of Tappahannock was taken into custody without incident. Officers did recover a handgun from Finney.
The investigation revealed that Finney and Jones knew each other and had previous disputes over Finney’s children. “What we know so far is that victim was dating the mother of the suspect’s children and there was some kind of dispute involving the kids.” says Chief James G. Ashworth, Jr. “This is a terrible tragedy and one that could’ve been avoided.” Ashworth added.
Finney has been charged with one count of 1st degree murder; one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; and two counts of child endangerment. The Tappahannock Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident. Finney is being held under no bond at the Middle Peninsula Regional Security Center in Saluda.
