Arrest made in deadly 2023 Dinwiddie County shooting on I85
Nov 26, 2024
DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- After more than a year of investigating, Virginia State Police have arrested a suspect in connection to the deadly shooting of 19-year-old T’Miya Murphy on Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County.
Murphy was shot in the head while driving on Aug. 1, 2023, causing her to crash. She died the following day at a nearby hospital.
Her death shocked the community, and her family told 8News that Murphy, their daughter was a recent graduate of Thomas Dale High School and had dreams of becoming a nurse.
On Oct. 19, 2024, police arrested 20-year-old Zayah Phelps in Hopewell on a probation violation related to a felony offense.
Shortly after, indictments were filed charging Phelps linking him to Murphy's shooting. They were sent to Riverside Regional Jail, where Phelps was being held for other charges. The indictments were sent to the jail this past week.
He's now being charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, shooting from a vehicle, shooting at an occupied vehicle, reckless handling of a firearm and more.
Now, Phelps remains in custody at Riverside Regional Jail as the case progresses through the courts.