VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WVEC) -- It's been nearly three years since Rashawn Dukes was senselessly murdered in Virginia Beach, and there are still no suspects or substantial leads that could lead to an arrest.
Rashawn Dukes was only 25-years-old when he was shot and killed outside the Guadalajara restaurant and club in Town Center. Two other people were shot, but survived. Shortly after, the restaurant closed down.
“I guess they got into a little argument with some other folks, and I guess after the lounge closed and everybody was leaving, someone pulled a gun and started shooting. They shot three people and unfortunately my son was the one who got killed,” Rashawn’s father Kenny Dukes said.
Kenny and his wife Donuella visited the scene of crime for the first time Wednesday. Donuella was overcome with emotion.
“It was the worst day of my life, to know my son was dead and I would never see him again. It’s so hard. I pray, but it’s still hard for me to get through it, and not knowing who did it and he’s not paying for what he did,” she said.
Rashawn's parents believe the only way they can get closure is to find his killers, but with no suspects and no new leads, they know the only way to solve his murder is if someone speaks up.
“One of his good friends from Richmond got shot as well. I know he knows a lot and he’s not speaking up – we lost contact with him. I think the beef was with him and some other guys, and unfortunately my son was with him. Detectives have been speaking to him but he fails to give any information,” Kenny said.
Rashawn’s son was only nine months old when his father was killed. He is now three years old, and lives in Richmond with Rashawn’s fiancée and Rashawn’s parents.
“All he thought about was his family—his fiancée and his son. His goal to buy a house, raise his son, and he wanted to take the things I instilled in him and instill them in his son and be more of a family man.”
“Rashawn liked to tell a lot of jokes. He was a kind person. He didn’t like to go out a lot. He was a sweet person. He always would tell someone he loves them—his family and his friends,” Donuella said.
The Dukes family is certain that someone out there knows something. They’re begging for the public to come forward with any piece of information that might help solve the case.
“Sometimes with the youth they have this ‘don’t want to talk, snitching’ or they want to get revenge in their way. But that’s not the way to go. I feel if you know something, say something, and not let your friend's death go in vain. Don’t let the person who did this still run free,” Kenny said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Virginia Beach Police. Tips can be taken anonymously. The Dukes family is looking to offer a reward for any information that leads to an arrest.