x
Breaking News
More () »

Suspect in New Haven murder confirmed to have been killed in Virginia; victim’s family reacts

NEW HAVEN — New Haven Police confirmed the man shot and killed after a police chase in Virginia was Tramaine Poole, suspect in the death of a mother who w...

NEW HAVEN -- New Haven Police confirmed the man shot and killed after a police chase in Virginia was Tramaine Poole, suspect in the death of a mother who was shot in front of her two children.

Wednesday morning, Moore was involved in a shootout in Virginia with troopers and died as a result of the gunfire. A Virginia State Police canine was killed in the incident.

Suspect in New Haven murder confirmed to have been killed in Virginia; victim’s family reacts

New Haven Police Chief Anthony Campbell said in a press conference Thursday, " I breathed a sigh of relief because justice had been served."

Tyekqua Nesbitt, 28, of New Haven. She was also commonly known as "Tika," was shot and killed in her own car shortly before 11 p.m. May 31 on Wintergreen Avenue and Wilmot Road. Police said she died in front of her kids, ages six and 11 who were sitting in the backseat at the moment.

Latoya Herbert, her sister, said,  "Yesterday was a bittersweet moment. It was a sigh of relief for all of us because my sister will be at rest now."

Tashauna Nesbitt, Tika's twin sister, said, "I`m now a mother to four children. Even though he`s gone, it still doesn't bring 100% peace to me. Her soul is at rest, but we are still hurting."

That hurt being felt not only by Nesbitt`s family, but the New Haven Police officers who have been working the case since day one. Chief Anthony Campbell said as a man of faith, he never wants to see anyone lose his life, but in this case,  justice was served.

Chief Campbell, said, "When law enforcement engages in a gun battle with a known fugitive from justice for assault in the first degree and for murdering a woman in front of her children and then terrorizing an entire community by going on the run for two months, when the information came that he is no longer a threat, relief is the only world I can use to describe the feeling."

Chief Campbell said three New Haven detectives are in Virginia going over evidence and meeting with the medical examiner's office. They say they still are looking for people who may have aided Poole when he was on the run.

Meanwhile Nesbitt's family is looking to move on.

Tashauna said, "We suffered a tragic loss, and now we just want to heal from it. We don`t want anyone else to be hurt."

Herbert expressed concern for Poole's family, "To Tramaine`s family I`m sorry about the way he chose to leave this world. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Nobody deserves to lose their child, but we all have to grieve and we all need our peace."

Shots were fired from the Moore's vehicle as officers with the State Police Drug Interdiction Task Force initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 95 south of Sussex County, according to Virginia State Police spokesperson Sgt. Michelle Anaya. One of the suspect's bullets pierced a K9 trooper's back passenger window and struck the dog.

The suspect's vehicle eventually exited Interstate 95 north at exit 24.

Once off the interstate, more shots were fired from the suspect's vehicle toward police, Anaya said. State troopers engaged with the suspect and more shots were fired. The man was shot and died at the scene.

In accordance with state police policy regarding officer-involved shootings, three troopers have been placed on administrative leave.

The K9 officer Vader did not survive his injuries. No troopers were injured during the incident.

A woman passenger in the car was brought to the local hospital for non life threatening injuries.

The situation ended with a crash near the intersection of Bell Road and Loco School Road in Yale, Virginia.

Poole was wanted back in May after shooting his wife, and shooting and killing a mother of two in front of her children.

A $30,000 reward was offered by the U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Task Force and States Attorney's office, to anyone who had information on Poole..

This is a developing story.

Before You Leave, Check This Out