Teen shot and killed ‘had biggest heart’

The father of a young man allegedly murdered in cold blood this weekend said his son had the biggest heart in the world, always had a smile on his face and was a really good person.

“I already knew that but that is just some of what people have been telling me who knew my son,” said the father, William Bowman, fighting back tears. “I loved him with all my heart. He is my world.”

Two Philadelphia men have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting.

His son, William Gage Arnold, 18, was shot Saturday evening, according to Philadelphia Police. Bowman said his son’s last name is Arnold on his birth certificate.

Bowman said his son had gotten off of work and was hanging out with some friends around Valley View Drive when two men “came out of nowhere.” 

“The rest is in the paper,” Bowman said.

Demonte Renfroe, 18, and Kornelious I’Tavan Triplett, 21, both of Philadelphia, have been charged with capital murder and armed robbery in connection with the shooting death that occurred at about 10 p.m. 

“Through investigation police determined that two men were robbed and assaulted by Renfroe and Triplett on Valley View Drive and made off with an undisclosed amount of money and property,” Lyons said.

Lyons said that Triplett was apprehended around 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday and Renfroe was brought in as a suspect on Monday.

Both men are currently being held at the Winston County Jail.

Lyons said they needed the second suspect to determine everybody’s involvement in this case to determine who gets charged with what.

Bowman said that his son enjoyed hanging out with friends, watching television and playing video games. Bowman said that his son lived with him in Philadelphia.

“I never met my father,” Bowman said. “I couldn’t even tell you what he looks like so when my son was born I said that boy is going to see my face every day and he did.”

William worked at Loredo Grill. “They love him up there,” Bowman said. Bowman said in a few years ago they got season passes to Six Flags.

“He loved riding the biggest and fastest rides they had,” Bowman said. “Anything that made him feel free.”

Bowman said within the past two years his son had purchased and “fixed up” a four-wheeler.

“He would ride all over the yard doing tricks and doughnuts and riding on two wheels,” Bowman said. “All kinds of daredevil stuff.”

Lyons said Monday afternoon that they have not released any names and are still working on charges in the incident in the 500 block of Valley View Drive.

“At this time we have one person in custody and more expected as the investigation continues,” Lyons said. “We will have names and official charges available as soon as possible as the investigators are still interviewing witnesses.”

Lyons said that investigators are looking at evidence that includes “private home video footage” that could place certain suspects at home during the shooting.

“We are still working on verifying some whereabouts and possible video footage to corroborate some stories,” Lyons said.

Lyons said investigators believe the incident took place in the 500 block of Valley View Drive.

On Saturday, Feb 19, Lyons said, PPD responded to the area of Valley View Drive where calls of gunshots were reported.

Approximately 15 minutes later, while responding officers in the area of Valley View Drive, they were notified of a gunshot victim that arrived by personal vehicle at Neshoba General. The victim was identified as William Arnold, police said.

Arnold was later pronounced dead at the hospital, Lyons said.

Lyons said that investigators are still working to determine how many individuals were involved in the incident but believe that William Arnold was the intended target.