VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - This is not how April Speller planned to spend her son Keyon Turner’s birthday - outside in the cold, surrounded by people holding candles and balloons.
The two had dinner plans tonight.
“We were all going to go out to the Melting Pot because that’s his favorite place,” said Speller.
Now, she stands at the same location Virginia Beach Police say Turner was shot and killed on Friday afternoon near Mineola Drive.
Police say the suspect in this shooting, 21-year-old Treshaun Lamont Snipes, was taken into custody just after midnight and charged with second-degree murder, using a firearm in commission of a felony and having a concealed weapon. He is currently being held in the Virginia Beach City Jail.
Speller saw her son moments before the shooting around 3:30 p.m.
“I just dropped him off right here at his front door,” she adds.
The two worked together at a local hotel.
“Normally I would wait for my son to get in the house, but he was so excited about his birthday and going to D.C. for the weekend. We sat in the car and talked for a while. He was halfway through the parking lot and I said, ‘Okay, he will be OK,’" said Speller.
On his 23rd birthday, his family and friends are celebrating, sharing favorite memories and prayer.
“We thank you, Lord, for him. We thank you for blessing our lives with him.”
Keyon’s mother says he was a generous man and a loving brother.
“He was an angel to everybody. He had a great spirit. He was laid back and willing to help anybody that he could help,” adds Speller.
Now, his friends and family are giving back to Turner, making sure he receives his birthday balloons before his day ends.
Speller is collecting donations for Keyon’s funeral expenses. Anyone who wants to contribute is asked to send their donation via CashApp to $sisApril.
