Jay Q. Wood Sr. was a devoted family man, known for his 27-year marriage to his wife, Bettina. A loving father to his son, Jay Wood Jr., and two daughters, Taylor Monae and Quashia Robinson, he was also a doting grandfather to his granddaughter, Zaylin. Remembered fondly by his parents, Brenda Wood and George Kenney, his brother, Corey, and a large circle of extended family and friends, Mr. Wood was a cherished member of his community. His life was a testament to his commitment to his loved ones.
The late afternoon of Tuesday, June 24, 2014, brought sudden and irreversible tragedy to the Wood family and the Union Hill neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. At approximately 5:26 p.m., the sound of gunfire echoed through the 800 block of North 21st Street. Richmond Police officers were dispatched to the area following reports of shots being fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered 47-year-old Jay Q. Wood, a Black male, lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical personnel responded quickly, but his injuries were too severe. Mr. Wood was pronounced dead at the scene, his life violently cut short in the neighborhood he called home.
The Richmond Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. Detectives worked the case diligently, and within days, they made their first arrest. On June 27, 2014, police took 21-year-old Trevin K. Carter into custody and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Mr. Wood's death. The investigation, however, did not end there. Authorities determined that others were involved in the fatal shooting and soon identified two additional suspects.
Following Carter's arrest, the Richmond Police Department announced they were actively searching for two more men. They secured warrants for conspiracy to commit murder for 20-year-old Shaquille Juwan Carter and 20-year-old Joevontae Octavian Artis. Investigators believed all three men were connected to the slaying of Mr. Wood, though a specific motive for the shooting was not publicly released. Police circulated photos of the wanted men and appealed to the public for any information that could lead to their capture.
In the wake of the senseless violence, Mr. Wood's family was left to navigate an unimaginable loss. They gathered with friends and community members to honor his memory at a funeral service held on Monday, June 30, 2014, at the Walter J. Manning Funeral Home Chapel on North 25th Street. He was later laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery. The service was a somber remembrance of a husband, father, grandfather, and son whose life was stolen far too soon.
The case against the three men charged in connection with Jay Wood's murder moved through the justice system. In February 2015, Trevin Carter pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with 18 years suspended, leaving him 22 years to serve. Shaquille Carter also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a 53-year sentence with 23 years suspended, resulting in a 30-year active sentence. Joevontae Artis, the third suspect, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder and related firearm charges in May 2015. He was sentenced to serve 33 years in prison. Though the court proceedings brought a measure of legal closure, they could not fill the void left by Mr. Wood's absence. The case is considered closed by law enforcement as of May 2015.
