Victim’s family wants answers

Published 10:35 pm Monday, March 7, 2016

One week after his father was shot to death, Darion Watford is still searching for answers.

Wayne Anthony Watford, 42, of the 1600 block of Nansemond Parkway, was found dead March 1 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, in the 800 block of Old Dill Road. The medical examiner reported that Watford had suffered gunshot wounds to the torso, according to police.

Warrants are on file charging Karlton L. Boone Jr., 18, of the 400 block of Carolina Road with first-degree murder; shoot, cut or stab with intent to maim or kill; shoot during commission of a felony; use or display of firearm in commission of a felony; and possession of a firearm by a violent felon, according to a city press release.

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“We’re struggling,” Watford said. “We are trying to hold it together … but we just want to know what happened.

“He didn’t have any enemies.”

Now, the family is struggling to find a way to properly bury his father, said Watford. He has set up a GoFundMe account, with hopes of raising $3,000 to cover funeral expenses.

“He deserves that,” Watford said.

Growing up, Watford said he was never close to his father, who was incarcerated for part of his childhood. But over the past five years, the two had bonded and gotten closer.

Watford said he had expected to hear from his father on his birthday on Feb. 28 but never did.