Virginia Police Shooting of Pharrell Williams’ Cousin Ruled a Homicide

A coroner in Virgina has ruled the death of Pharrell Williams’ cousin Donovon Lynch as a homicide. (Credit: Instagram/@pharrell)

A coroner’s report out of kkVirginia has ruled the death of Pharrell Williams’ cousin Donovon Lynch a homicide, according to documents obtained by the New York Post.

Lynch, 25, was killed in an officer-involved shooting on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on March 26, as previously reported. Police said at the time a gun recovered at the scene belonged to Lynch.

On Aug. 17, The Post reported a state investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No criminal charges have been filed against officer Solomon D. Simmons III, who fatally shot Lynch.

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Simmons did not have his body camera activated at the time of the shooting. The officer later said Lynch pointed a gun at him before he opened fire.

Producer and singer Pharrell Williams has been calling for transparency in the police investigation.

Meantime, Donovon’s father Wayne Lynch filed a $50 million lawsuit against the city and the police officer.

The lawsuit claims the officer used excessive force and acted with gross negligence when he fatally shot Lynch. It additionally alleges the city of Virginia Beach failed to properly train officers.

The shooting occurred during a wave of violence at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront on the night of March 26. Bad Girls Club reality TV star Deshayla Harris was caught in the crossfire of another shooting that night and died. Several other people were injured by gunfire.


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