SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Friends, family and leaders came together to honor William Goodman Jr, and Demonte Tillery, the two men who were shot to death last Thursday night in Suffolk.
“Our faith is in the Lord, and that’s who is carrying us through this tragedy,” said William Goodman Sr., the father of 37-year-old William Goodman Jr.
SUFF.Impact, a nonprofit that gives resources to youth while working against gun violence, hosted the vigil.
The organization’s chaplain, Justin Goodman, is William Goodman Jr.’s brother, while the organization’s president, Trivelle Gambrell, is Demonte Tillery’s cousin — both impacted by the violence they work to prevent.
“I know that both of them are gone just doing the work, and then when it hits you, it’s a different hit,” Gambrell said.
The vigil brought more to light about the two men.
Both fathers, Goodman was a business owner, while Tillery was employed to work for Goodman on the road as a truck driver. Family members said the two were working on the trucks the night of the shooting, and they’re calling for an end to the violence. Police are also still searching for a suspect, and they need help.
“Be a man be a woman and say something about it, I know that I would greatly appreciate it, and I know these two families up here would greatly appreciate it,” Suffolk Police Chief Danny Buie said.
If you have any information about this case, you can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3tips app to a mobile device or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.
Goodman Jr.’s funeral will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday at New Mount Joy Food For Living Ministry, 307 County Street, Suffolk, while Tillery’s funeral will take place Monday, Sept. 22 at New Mount Joy Food For Living Ministry.