By Michael Copley, Staff writer
and Roslyn Ryan, Editor

Last Monday, six days after the fatal shooting that took a Powhatan teenager’s life, his family and friends gathered for an emotional funeral service to say farewell.

By that point the three Powhatan residents police believe were responsible for Tahliek Taliaferro’s death were in custody after turning themselves in to authorities. More information had also emerged on the moments preceding the shooting, which also left a 17-year-old hospitalized.

Still, no matter what sort of closure the family may have found, no matter what county residents may now know about the crime, there are still questions left unanswered.

How, so many people seem to be asking, could this have happened here?

“This is very unusual” said Powhatan County Sheriff Greg Neal.

“You’d have to go back 10 or 12 years” to find something like this.”

What is now known is that the June 24 shooting occurred near the intersection of Dorsett Road and Schroeder Road, after an altercation between two groups at Bruster’s ice cream store in Flat Rock.

Sheriff Neal confirmed that the suspects were involved in a verbal argument with Taliaferro and his friends prior to the shooting.

At some point after the srgument, Reynolds and the Parrishes pulled into a driveway on Dorset Road. As the victim’s car pulled up, the suspects opened fire with what was first thought to be an AK-47 but has now been determined to be some other kind of assault rifle.

Taliaferro, a popular student and standout athlete at Powhatan High School, was shot once in the back of the head and died at the scene, said the Powhatan Sheriff’s Office.

His 17-year -old friend was taken by helicopter to MCV, where he is still recovering from his injuries.

As county residents gathered to comfort one another Wednesday evening, shortly after police confirmed Taliaferro’s identity, many remained concerned about the fact that the three suspects were still at large.

In a community that so rarely sees a homicide committed, the news of what had happened and the thought that the three had not been found was cause for concern.

By the next day, investigators from the Powhatanians Sheriff’s office and the State Police had recovered the white Dodge Durango the suspects had been driving, as well as physical evidence related to the shooting, including bullets, said Sheriff Neal.

At different points over the next two days, the suspects were said to be traveling in a black Ford Mustang, and then a white van.

Finally, at around 1 a.m. Saturday morning, Stephanie Reynolds surrendered to Powhatan authorities. She turned herself in with her parents and a lawyer.

The sheriff’s office received word Friday “that she and the boys had split [up] that afternoon,” said Neal. Later that evening the Sheriff’s Office “got a call [from the Reynolds family] saying they had the girl and were bringing her in,” said Neal.

Ethan and Joey Parrish surrendered at approximately 6:30 p.m. the following evening.

“We had talked to people ...and we expected the boys to turn themselves in Friday night also,” said Neal. “On Saturday we heard that one of the boys’ fathers was picking them up. We picked them up when they crossed into the county.”

All three have been charged with first degree murder, and on Monday the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office determined that Joey Parrish will be tried as an adult.

Reynolds and Ethan Parrish will appear for a preliminary court appearance today.

All three are currently being held without bond.

“I’m just grateful that we were able to get these people in without anyone else getting hurt. At least now the beginning part of this is over,” said Neal.

What we know now:

June 24, 6:44 p.m.: A shooting was called in to Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office and deputies were dispatched.

June 25, early morning:
At a residence in Amelia County, investigators from Powhatan Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police recovered the White Dodge Durango the suspects had been seen in and other physical evidence related to the shooting. Police warned the public that the suspects, considered armed and dangerous and were now thought to be traveling in a black Ford Mustang.

June 26: Stephanie Reynolds’ mother makes a public appeal to her daughter and the Parrish cousins to turn themselves in.

June 28, 1 a.m.: Stephanie Reynolds turns herself in to the Powhatan Sheriff’s office, accompanied by her parents and a lawyer.

June 28 approximately 6:30 p.m.:
Ethan and Joey Parrish surrender to Powhatan Sheriff’s Office Deputies without incident.