What was meant to be a moment of shared grief and remembrance at a post-funeral gathering on West Cary Street in Richmond turned into heartbreak when 36-year-old Kwaivon Dejesus was shot and killed outside the doors of Fifth Baptist Church on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Richmond Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 1400-block of West Cary Street at around 4:29 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2025 after reports of a shooting. On arriving at the scene, they found Dejesus suffering from at least one gunshot wound outside the church, where a funeral had just concluded and a family reception was underway. He was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition but, sadly, pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Preliminary investigations indicate the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between Dejesus and another man who was part of the family gathering that followed the funeral. According to sources, the two men were known to each other, and the dispute emerged while the group was outside—in some accounts during a photo moment—and escalated into violence. The victim was reportedly shot in the back.
Family and friends describe Dejesus as a deeply kind person, one whose warmth and smile lit up any room he walked into. He cared fiercely for his loved ones, and it is the love for them combined with his gentle nature that many recall in this moment of grief. His sudden departure has left a void that words cannot squarely fill.
The church parking lot—once a place of solace and reflection—became the backdrop for a senseless loss. A gathering designed to console and hold together a family in mourning instead evolved into a moment of tragedy. As candle-lit vigils begin and shared memories rise among community members, the questions of “why?” and “how did this happen?” echo louder each day.
The Richmond Police Department has now labeled the case a homicide investigation. The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office, while detectives urge anyone with knowledge of this incident to contact Detective B. Neifield at (804) 646-3246 or reach out to Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the P3 Tips app.
For a community already reeling from loss, this event on West Cary Street carves a wound into the heart of Richmond. The tender purpose of gathering after a funeral—to remember, to support one another—is overshadowed by the abrupt end to a young life. As the sun set on Wednesday, what should have been a quiet remembrance became a stark reminder of life’s precarious fragility.
Tonight, the church’s steps are silent save for the whispers of those who loved him. The lights are low, the chairs folded away, and in their place are teardrops and unanswered questions. Kwaivon Dejesus came to honor life; instead, his life was cut far too soon.
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