Pharrell Williams has revealed that his cousin was killed by police in the Virginia Beach shooting on Friday.
In a post shared on Instagram on Monday, March 29, the 47-year-old musician shared a picture of his relative, 25-year-old Donovan Lynch, with his 12.6 million followers on the platform.
Williams then captioned the post:
"The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. He was a bright light and someone who always showed up for others.
"It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency, honesty, and justice they deserve.
"Virginia Beach is the epitome of hope and tenacity and, as a community, we will get through this and come out even stronger."
The post in question has since accrued over 159,000 reactions and approximately a further 4,000 comments as of the time of writing, with a number of other social media users consoling Williams over the incident.
For instance, one person wrote: "My Condolences to you and your loved one always, but especially now. I hope his spirit is lifted through all of you. [sic]"
Meanwhile, someone else wrote: "I'm so sorry my friend. Saying prayers you & your family. [sic]"
Sky News reports that eight people were injured and one other person killed, in three separate shooting incidents on Friday, March 26.
On Saturday, a Virginia Beach police statement stated that an officer "encountered an armed citizen", who according to the spokesperson was Lynch, and thus shot him.
Sky News reports that the special operations division police officer who gunned down Lynch has worked in the department for five years, and has since been placed on administrative leave.
Meanwhile, the three men who stand accused of the first shooting incident - 22-year-old Ahmon Jahree Adams, 18-year-old Nyquez Tyyon Baker, and 20-year-old Devon Maurice Dorsey Jr, face seven counts of malicious wounding and other related charges.
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