Sean William Lilly, 33, was shot and killed inside an apartment in the 300 block of Royal Springs Court in Newport News, Virginia, in the early hours of April 21, 2022. Police were called just after 1:40 a.m.; first responders found Lilly suffering from at least one gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lilly was originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, and had lived in Newport News since 1999. He worked as a team lead at an Arby’s, and was known for acrobatics and writing poetry. Witnesses inside the apartment said a Black male with a stocky build, about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 9 inches, wearing a black face mask, entered the residence, shot Lilly, and fled on foot in an unknown direction. Motive has not been released.

The Newport News Police Department has an active investigation, has processed forensic evidence, and is asking the public for tips. No arrests have been announced and no suspect has been publicly identified beyond the witness description. Did anyone have contact with Sean in Newport News or see someone matching that description near Royal Springs Court that night?