Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407250061
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MIKE MATHER LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium
This was Virginia Beach's second quadruple homicide in three weeks. Friday's fatal shootings virtually guarantee that 1994 will be the city's most murderous year ever.
When police entered the yellow, one-story house, they found the bodies of Evelyn Ward, 63; Thelma Harper, thought to be in her mid-30s; Clifton Harper, 19; and Robert Ward, 14. Thelma Harper was Clifton's mother and Evelyn Ward's niece. Robert was Evelyn Ward's grandson.
All the victims except Robert lived in the home, police said. However, police spokesman Lou Thurston said investigators believe that he recently had been staying in the house.
Detectives said late Friday that the victims were shot, but would not speculate on whether more than one assailant was involved.
Family members and friends gathered at an elementary school across the street from the house as detectives fanned out to interview them.
Rescue workers treated at least two people who appeared emotionally overcome.
Authorities are investigating the possibility that drugs were involved, because some family members had a history of drug dealing.
In June 1992, at least four members of the Ward family were charged with running a multimillion-dollar drug ring.
The Ward relatives - including Keith C. Ward, John R. Ward, Robert L. Ward and Carl A. Ward - were indicted on charges of distributing more than 200 pounds of powder and rock cocaine.
Federal prosecutors then called the drug ring a family affair and said the ring's members made so much money they had to rent facilities to store trash bags full of cash.
At least two family members and several friends and associates have been convicted or have pleaded guilty and are now serving prison terms. Keith C. Ward, 35, described as the ring's second-in-command, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to life without parole.
One of Friday's victims, Clifton Harper, was scheduled to stand trial Aug. 9 in Virginia Beach Circuit Court on three charges of distributing cocaine.
Police would not say whether the drug charges and the slayings were connected.
The slayings bring to 28 the number of homicides in the city so far this year. In 1991, the city's worst year ever, police investigated 29 slayings.
On June 30, four people were killed at a bar in the city. A man and a woman were charged with those slayings.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB