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Details begin to emerge in slaying of Newport News dentist

Kelly Michael Vance, 42, was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Newport News dentist, Dr. William Trolenberg.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Police have arrested a man in connection with the shooting death of a Newport News dentist.

Police said 42-year-old Kelly Michael Vance of Hampton is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the shooting death of Dr. William Trolenberg, a dentist based in Newport News.

Credit: Provided photo
Dr. William Trolenberg

Trolenberg, 65, was shot and killed outside his practice on Huber Road and Jefferson Avenue on June 19.

Police released photos of a person of interest later that night.

Credit: Newport News Police Department
Police released this photo of a person of interest.

Police from Hampton and Newport News arrested Vance outside of his home on Harris Creek Road in Hampton.

On Saturday, a neighbor told 13News Now Vance lived in the home with his girlfriend and her daughter.

Steve Drew, Newport News Police Chief, said an arrest wouldn’t have been possible without the help of those in the community who came forward with information. 

“The information we were getting from citizens in the area, and the locations they had seen him, and then going back and checking those business cameras, that allowed us to tie that together,” said Chief Drew.

Credit: Newport News Police Dept.
Kelly Michael Vance

“In the photos shown, it was clear that we had the right individual.”

According to court documents, Trolenberg's murder was caught on video from a nearby garage security camera.

The video reportedly showed Trolenberg leaving work and get in his car. Vance then walks up to the car and puts his hand on the trunk.

Court documents say the two begin to have a conversation at the driver's side door. That's when Vance gets in the car from the passenger's side.

Detectives say according to the video, there was some sort of altercation inside the car. Trolenberg is then seen falling out of his car.

Court documents say Vance then gets out the car, walks to Trolenberg, stands over his body and shoots him.

According to the Medical Examiner's Office Trolenberg was shot three times.

Court documents go on to say that Vance was in the area hours before the slaying and that he was lying in wait for Trolenberg to leave work, walking up and down Huber Road.

A witness also told detectives that Vance went inside Deer Park Dental about a half hour before killing Trolenberg.

Police have not yet released a motive.

Vance made his first appearance in court Monday morning, where he was appointed an attorney and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 20.

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