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Test results sought
In Schoolfield shooting probe
Lance Schoolfield
Sunday, July 15, 2012
By DEBBIE HALL - Bulletin Staff Writer
As family and friends buried Lance Schoolfield on Saturday, the investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Schoolfield, 19, of Elder Court, Martinsville, died from a single gunshot wound to his temple. His body was found Tuesday morning in the kitchen of an apartment at 106 Moss St., according to court records.
His funeral was held Saturday at Greater New Bethel Apostolic Church, and he was buried in Carver Memorial Gardens.
Martinsville Police Capt. Eddie Cassady said Saturday that investigators are “very active” on the case.
“We are still working on it. We’re still conducting interviews, and we’ve got some evidence at the state lab that we are waiting” for, he said.
Early in the investigation, Cassady said that evidence from the scene was collected and sent to the forensic lab in Roanoke for tests.
Authorities are now awaiting the results of those tests, Cassady said. He added that he does not know when the results will be received and declined to say what type of evidence was submitted.
Once that information is “in our possession, we will sit down and talk to the Commonwealth’s Attorney Joan Ziglar, and go from there,” Cassady said.
He declined to say whether police have identified a person of interest, but Cassady said he does not believe anyone is in danger.
An affidavit filed for two search warrants in connection with the case stated that witnesses told police that Schoolfield and another man were involved in a verbal argument on July 4. The print of a .45 caliber handgun allegedly showed to Schoolfield ended the argument, the affidavit stated.
Late Monday or early Tuesday, Schoolfield and two other men allegedly drank alcohol together in Apartment 1, the affidavit added.
A neighbor told police he or she heard a “pop, and then what sounded like someone fall from inside 106 Moss St.” at about 1:50 a.m. Tuesday, the affidavit stated. The pop was followed by a phrase, “Get up, man. Get up, man,” a witness said, according to the affidavit.
Police were summoned six hours later, around 7:50 a.m. Tuesday, and Schoolfield was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the affidavit.
His family declined to comment on Saturday.
“We are going to move forward on this case,” Cassady said.
He asked anyone with any information related to the case to call the Martinsville Police Department, 638-8751, or Crime Stoppers at 63CRIME (632-7463).
Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous, and may be eligible to receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for unsolved crimes.
The amount of any reward is determined by the substance of information provided and the nature of the crime.
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