Family grieving loss of second member to gun violence in six months

LANCASTER, S.C. — Tammy Wright is dealing with the loss of another son: The second son she's had to bury in six months.

"This man needs to turn himself in. He can't hide forever," Wright said.

She's talking about Rashad Johnson, 28, who's wanted for the murder of Deangelo “Rudy” Kirk, 25.

Kirk was staying with family members at Palmetto Place Apartments in Lancaster, when he was shot in the head Saturday afternoon outside a building. Family members tell Channel 9 he was run down and shot.

James Kirk is his uncle. He helped raise his nephews, and has now lost both of them.

"Gun violence in Lancaster is running rampant, and somebody has got to stop it," he said.

As they prepare to bury Rudy Kirk on Thursday, they are still grieving another loss. His older brother Delvelceo Kirk was shot and killed in a car on Memorial Park Road the day before Thanksgiving.

The shooter ran from the car, and was later arrested. In that case, Calvin Peay was charged with murder. Cousin Angela Blakeney said the two brothers were always together.

“Growing up, you didn't say Rudy's name without Velk, and you didn't say Velk's name without Rudy, and sadly you say their names together now because they're back together again," Blakeney said.

Denialle Reid was Rudy Kirk's girlfriend. She said he was a quiet man and didn't have issues with anyone she knew of. She is devastated, but feels most for his mother.

"She just buried a son and now she's got to turn around and bury another son. It's too much for one person," she said.

Lancaster police told Channel 9 on Tuesday they consider this a very active investigation, and are not releasing any new information right now.

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