Arnez Azmir Kirtley, 21, was shot inside a residence on Jefferson Street in Southwest Roanoke and died at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Saturday, February 12, 2022. Police discovered him after a call and transported him for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators identified two suspects in the shooting. Jaytwon Shepherd of Roanoke was arrested and initially charged with first-degree murder; he later pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 18 years in prison as part of a 43-year term with 25 years suspended. A second person, Bryson W. Berger, was charged with second-degree murder and had a court hearing scheduled for July 18, 2023.

The death deeply affected Kirtley’s family and friends and raised concerns about gun violence in the community. If anyone has information about what happened on Jefferson Street that day, please share it with investigators.