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Orlando Myron Anderson Jr.

Age 8

Mangohick, Virginia

He was so full of life

He was happiest running around the yard, pressing the trigger of his water gun and gleefully discharging it at his friends. The Acquinton Elementary School student delivered his hugs with a smile so infectious, you couldn’t help but go along with it.

“Lil Scrappy,” as he was called, liked to work on his dance moves, especially “the floss.”  “It was never a dull moment with him,” said his mother.

It was around midnight on Jan. 23, 2019, when Orlando Myron Anderson Jr., 8, was shot and killed by an intruder in his Mangohick, Virginia, home.

By Scarlett Liriano Cepin · Age 19
Meet the Reporters

More than 40 dancers

Yaleah Hall

Sister, daughter, dancer, since day one

Alisia JaNell Williams

She made her dolls happy, too

Cara Marie Loughran

Dancing in our hearts for eternity

Xzariah Denecca Rice

Her father died in her arms

Taylor Hayes

A star on her karaoke machine

Arthur Roger Holloway III

His obituary ran in two states

Doumba Sannoh

Fatal price for the American dream

Eugene Ryder Stamey

Innocent game turned to foul play

Des'mon Reyshard Anderson

His baby lost her loving dad

Tylon DaJaun Batey

So much family left to grieve

Christopher Williams

Web design intern, brother of six

Justise Armoni Ledena Allen

She did not even look hurt

Eliza Kristine Orellana

She was a singer, dancer and friend

Alexa Denice Montez

Her father’s “greatest gift,” he said

Jaime Taylor Guttenberg

Independent, fearless, bright; a graceful dancer

Darius Marcel Boone

An infectious laugh silenced by violence

Michael D. Bardlett

To know Michael. To love Michael.

Kelvin Ramone Creech

Engaged. Ready for fatherhood. Taken away.

Trinity Renee-Jordan Wiggins

Her uncle’s house, pockmarked with bullets

Davieuntay Green

Summer stroll brought to a halt