GAINESVILLE, Va. — Two suspects surrendered to Prince William County Police custody Thursday after they were deemed armed and dangerous murder suspects suspected to be involved in a deadly May 8, 2022 shooting.
Malachi Thaddeus Coleman, 20, and Keyontae Glenell Newman, 16, turned themselves in to police Thursday evening. Both suspects have been charged with second-degree murder. Coleman is also charged with robbery and felony use of a firearm.
According to police, the shooting happened Sunday, May 8. Officers responded to investigate the shooting just before 2 a.m. at the nearby Somerset Pointe Apartments in the 14000 block of Deming Drive in Gainesville.
Police were told the incident happened an hour earlier after 18-year-old Michael Arthur from Dumfries was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds and died a short time later.
Police said their investigation revealed that Arthur was shot following a fight in the apartment’s parking lot. No other injuries were reported and it did not appear random.
Arthur was a senior at Potomac High School who was weeks away from graduation. His mother said she didn't know the two young men accused of killing her son. She described her son as loving, respectful, and one to never get in trouble. She said the teenager was a smart entrepreneur who had dreams of expanding his clothing design business and entering real estate upon graduation.
"Michael was like a son to me. Very sweet, soft-spoken. Help you with anything I wanted," said Novey Willey, Arthur's neighbor. "He was a smart entrepreneur but very, very respectful. 'Yes, sir, no, sir, Mr. Novey.' He was like my son, and it really hurts.”
On Thursday, Potomac High School Principal Brandon Boles sent a letter to the school community addressing the teen's death.
"For those who knew Michael, he was a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and respectful young man. We are working closely with the student’s family to provide any needed support," the letter reads. "Members of our Critical Incident Team are here today, May 9, and will be available to continue to assist students and staff in coping with their sadness."
On May 12, Coleman arrived at the Adult Detention Center in Manassas and turned himself in without incident. Hours later, Newman visited the Garfield Police Station in Woodbridge and turned himself into officers.