Teenager Apprehended In Connection With ‘Senseless, Violent’ Murder Of Virginia Student Found Dead In Garbage Can

Authorities have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the killing of a Virginia teenager whose body was found in a trash can.

The suspect, whose name was not released, was apprehended by Richmond police detectives and the United States Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. He faces charges of first-degree murder, and using a firearm while committing a felony, WRIC reported.

On the afternoon of Oct. 19, officers with the Richmond Police Department were called to a residence about a shooting. At the home, they found the body of 17-year-old Tamel Durant in a “residential disposal container,” documents show.

The high school senior had been fatally shot, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I watched the story unfold like everyone else. I saw the story come across my phone and my heart broke for whoever child that was. I came in the house…and Tamel wasn’t in there,” the victim’s stepmother, Daytoria Durant, told WRIC.

“About 6 o’clock, I called the emergency police response to find out what was going on. It wasn’t until about 8 o’clock when three guys come to my porch… and my life changed forever in that moment and it’ll never be the same.”

“Nothing in my wildest dreams did I think that could be him,” she added.

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards called the slaying a “senseless, violent incident” and noted that detectives “worked tirelessly” on the murder investigation.

“Their diligent efforts succeeded in identifying the suspect, and with the help of our federal partners, he was located and apprehended without incident," Edwards said.