Two people have been charged in connection with a series of shootings that occurred at a restaurant in the 700 block of East Church Street in Martinsville, according to a release from the Virginia State Police.
Jamal Emun Jenkins, 24, of Collinsville was charged with first degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, willful discharge of a firearm in a public place resulting in a death, the release stated.
Rosario Nasiar Eggleston, 20, of Martinsville, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding, conspiracy to commit aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and willful discharge of a firearm in a public place resulting in a death.
The two men remain hospitalized at Roanoke Memorial Hospital for gunshot wounds received during the February 5 incident.
Two Martinsville men.
Keilo Anton Martin, 23, and Shavon Lamont Reid, 33, both of Martinsville, died at the scene of the incident that occurred around 10:30 p.m. Friday in the El Norteno Restaurant, authorities have said.
The alleged altercation began in the bar area of the restaurant, authorities have said.
After the alleged series of gunfire inside the restaurant, a third man allegedly fled the restaurant on foot but was pursued by two armed men. When the three men reached the parking lot outside the restaurant, two men began shooting at the third man.
Gunfire was overheard by a Martinsville Police Officer on patrol nearby in his vehicle, authorities have said. The officer immediately responded and approached the men on foot as they allegedly fired at a third man. The officer fired at the two-armed men, striking one of them, the release stated. The two shooters allegedly then retreated into the restaurant. The third man in the parking lot was not injured during either shooting incident, the release added.
Additional law enforcement personnel from the Martinsville Police Department, Virginia State Police, and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office immediately responded to the scene to enter secure the restaurant.
Authorities worked to rescue about 12 patrons and 20 restaurant employees trapped inside with the two shooters. Additional shots were not fired inside the restaurant as police responded to the scene, made entry, and safely evacuated the remaining patrons and employees, according to the release.
Inside the restaurant, authorities located the two deceased men from the initial shooting and one wounded man. An additional wounded man was found nearby, the release stated.
The wounded men were transported to the hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries. The remains of the two dead men were transported to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Roanoke for examination and autopsy.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
Martinsville Police Chief Eddie Cassady requested the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office to investigate the incident.
A shooting incident that occurred at nearby gas station shortly after the incident at the restaurant is being investigated by the Martinsville Police Department
Investigations into both shooting incidents are ongoing.
