Man Wanted in Bassett Shooting

HENRY CO. – On November 20, 2021 at approximately 8:18 pm, the Martinsville-Henry County Emergency 911 Center received a call that an individual had been shot in the parking lot of 950 Blackberry Rd., Bassett, VA.  At 8:23 pm, deputies arrived on the scene and located a male victim lying on the ground.

The victim had suffered at least one gunshot wound to the torso, and was pronounced dead at the scene.  The victim has been identified as Lewis Javon Rumley, 41, of Hardin Rd., Fieldale, VA. The body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the Western District of Virginia where an autopsy will be performed.

Through the course of the investigation, Dewayne Euvonne Austin Jr., 20, of 177 Niblett Dr., Martinsville, VA was developed as the suspect.  Warrants have been issued on Austin for first degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.  Dewayne Euvonne Austin Jr. is currently wanted, he is described as a black male, 5’8”, 135 pounds.  He is believed to be armed with a handgun.

           Anyone having information regarding this homicide or the whereabouts of Dewayne Euvonne Austin Jr. is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463).  The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime.  The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid.