Prince George County Shooting Homicide: Omar DeLoatch Identified as Victim, Suspect Arrested
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. — Authorities have made an arrest following a shooting-related homicide near James River Drive, where a 44-year-old Hampton man was found dead on private property.
The Prince George County Police Department released an update on August 30, 2026, providing additional information about the fatal incident and confirming that a suspect is now in custody.
Police discover deceased man
At approximately 10:50 a.m. on August 29, officers were dispatched to the 15200 block of James River Drive after receiving a report of an unresponsive person found on private property.
When officers arrived, investigators determined that the individual was deceased.
The victim was identified as 44-year-old Omar DeLoatch of Hampton, Virginia.
According to police, the man had suffered trauma consistent with ballistic injuries, leading investigators to classify the case as a shooting-related homicide.
Investigation leads to arrest
Following the discovery, Prince George County police officers and detectives worked together to identify the circumstances surrounding DeLoatch’s death.
Investigators subsequently identified Del’Wan Bland, 41, of Prince George, Virginia, as a suspect in the case.
Bland was taken into custody on August 29 without incident.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances that led investigators to Bland or whether the two men knew each other.
Suspect faces multiple felony charges
Bland is being held at Riverside Regional Jail without bond.
He faces three charges:
Second-Degree Murder under Virginia Code § 18.2-32
Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony under Virginia Code § 18.2-53.1
Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon under Virginia Code § 18.2-308.2
The charges indicate that investigators allege a firearm was used in connection with the homicide and that Bland was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior violent-felony status.
Investigation remains ongoing
Although an arrest has been made, detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding DeLoatch’s death.
Authorities have not yet publicly released a possible motive, the suspected sequence of events, the type of firearm involved or where the shooting itself occurred.
Investigators may continue interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage and examining physical evidence as they work to establish a complete timeline.
Community awaits additional information
The discovery of DeLoatch on private property prompted a significant law-enforcement response in the James River Drive area.
With a suspect now in custody, investigators are expected to focus on establishing the events that preceded the shooting and determining the full circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.
Bland remains accused of the charges filed against him and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Prince George County Police Department has indicated that the investigation remains active and that additional information may be released as it becomes available.
