Suspect Still Sought Two Weeks After Chesterfield Shooting Deaths
TL;DR: Dennikia Rachelle Boyce, 37, remains at large two weeks after the fatal July 24 shooting of two VDOT contractors at a staging area in Chesterfield County, with state police and federal marshals continuing the manhunt.
Quick facts
- Who: Dennikia Rachelle Boyce, 37, wanted in connection with the deaths of Rai'Shon Eugene Delarge, 30, and Philip Avery Wilson, 34, both of Emporia
- What: Two VDOT contractors shot and killed at a VDOT equipment staging area; suspect remains fugitive
- When: July 24, 2026, before 9:30 a.m.; suspect still at large as of August 8, 2026
- Where: VDOT equipment staging area near Route 1 and Route 288 northbound in Chesterfield County
The story
On the morning of July 24, just before 9:30 a.m., Virginia State Police responded to a shooting at a VDOT equipment staging area near the intersection of Route 1 and Route 288 northbound in Chesterfield County. Two men working as contractors for VDOT, Rai'Shon Eugene Delarge, 30, and Philip Avery Wilson, 34, both of Emporia, were shot during the incident. One died at the scene; the other died later at a hospital.
State police identified the suspect as 37-year-old Dennikia Rachelle Boyce on Thursday, July 30. Boyce is wanted on a murder charge. Authorities described the shooting as domestic in nature and noted that Boyce knew at least one of the victims. According to available reporting, Boyce was in a relationship with one of the victims. Boyce has not been located and fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
As of August 8, two weeks after the incident, Boyce remains a fugitive. Virginia State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service are continuing their manhunt. Boyce is described as a Black woman, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Media reports indicate Boyce previously worked as a correctional officer at Greensville Correctional Center.
Key players
- Dennikia Rachelle Boyce: Suspect wanted on murder charges
- Rai'Shon Eugene Delarge: VDOT contractor, deceased
- Philip Avery Wilson: VDOT contractor, deceased
- Virginia State Police: Lead agency investigating the shooting
- U.S. Marshals Service: Assisting in search for suspect
Why it matters: The ongoing search for a fugitive suspect in a double homicide highlights public safety concerns in Chesterfield County and the continued vigilance required by state and federal law enforcement to apprehend a person wanted in connection with two deaths.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-07-24Two VDOT contractors shot at staging area: Before 9:30 a.m., Rai'Shon Eugene Delarge, 30, and Philip Avery Wilson, 34, both of Emporia, were shot at a VDOT equipment staging area near Route 1 and Route 288 northbound. One victim died at the scene; the other died at a hospital. [source]
- 2026-07-30Virginia State Police identify suspect: State police identified 37-year-old Dennikia Rachelle Boyce as the suspect wanted on a murder charge. Boyce had fled the scene immediately after the shooting. [source]
- 2026-08-02Boyce remains at large: One week after being identified, Boyce remained a fugitive with Virginia State Police and U.S. Marshals continuing their search. [source]
- 2026-08-07Two-week update: suspect still sought: Two weeks after the July 24 shooting, Dennikia Boyce remained a fugitive as state police and federal marshals continued their manhunt. [source]
Related links
Read the original at NBC12 / WWBT News →
Sources
- 12 On Your Side: VSP - 2 VDOT contractors killed in Chesterfield shooting
- 12 On Your Side: Police identify suspect in double shooting
- WTVR: Woman accused of murdering 2 men remains on the run
- Virginia State Police X (Twitter)
- 29News: Sister of slain VDOT worker calls on suspect to turn herself in