Police further investigation after death

Published 11:29 am Monday, July 23, 2018

Farmville Police Department reported in a Monday release that the July 15 assault it is investigating has now been classified as a homicide after the victim of the assault died of his injuries.

Michael O. Mitchell

Terry Edward Hearld, 62, of Farmville, died Friday evening at MCV Medical Center due to injuries he sustained from the assault at the Town Motel, police reported.

“Police responded to 1708 W. Third Street shortly after 1:30 a.m. to investigate a call for service reported to be a victim of an apparent assault that was not breathing,” an earlier release from the department cited. “Officers discovered the body of Terry Edward Hearld, 62, of Farmville, lying on his side in the parking lot, brutally beaten. Hearld was transported to Centra Southside Hospital, where he was then airlifted to MCV Hospital in Richmond, with life-threatening injuries.”

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Farmville Police cited in the Monday release that officers previously arrested Michael O. Mitchell, 34, of Farmville, and charged him with malicious wounding. Two juveniles have also been charged in connection with this case.

Police said each juvenile has been charged with malicious wounding and a separate charge, assault by mob, which involves three or more people who commit assault.

The juvenile suspects are currently being held in detention, the release cited, adding that upgraded charges against the three suspects are forthcoming.

Detectives are continuing the investigation into the homicide.

Those with information are urged to contact Detective/Sergeant David Ragland with the Farmville Police Department at (434) 392-9259.