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Kelly Michael Vance was arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of a dentist and military veteran in Newport News, Virginia, police in the city said.
Newport News Police allege Vance shot 65-year-old Dr. William Trolenberg outside his dentist’s office Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. Trolenberg was found shot near his car in the parking lot. He later died at a hospital.
The 42-year-old Vance was arrested at about 7:40 p.m. EST in Hampton, Virginia, according to Newport News Police. He is being held without bail in the Newport News City Jail on charges of first-degree murder and firearm used in the commission of a felony, according to the Newport News Sheriffs Office.
Newport News Police confirmed the arrest on Twitter Saturday morning.
Newport News Police released a photo of a “person of interest” Thursday. It was not immediately clear whether the person was Vance.
A confirmed photo of Vance was not immediately available.
Local police told WAVY the daylight shooting in a residential area drew concerns.
“This happened in a residential area and in the…early evening, just after 5 o’clock. That’s a concern for me,” said Police Chief Steve Drew following the shooting.
Police told WAVY the investigation is ongoing.
Trolenberg’s friend, James Pucci, told WAVY he was shocked by the death. Trolenberg was planning to retire in two years.
“It, it’s shocking,” said Trolenberg’s friend James Pucci. “It hurts. It’s like a family member getting killed … he was a great fellow. He helped everyone.”
The community and police department held a prayer vigil for Trolenberg Thursday.
Here’s what you need to know:
Vance is Charged with First-Degree Murder
Kelly Michael Vance, 42, was arrested Friday night and charged in the murder of 65-year-old William Trolenberg. Vance is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the Newport News Sheriffs Office.
Trolenberg was a dentist and military veteran who was loved by the community.
Vance was arrested in Hampton in the first block of Harris Creek Road. Newport Police worked with Hampton Police Division in the arrest.
Police confirmed the arrest Saturday morning on Twitter.
They added an update to their person of interest photo, writing, “6/21/19 UPDATE: On June 21, at approximately 7:40 p.m., Newport News Police Department in conjunction with Hampton Police Division apprehended 42-year-old Kelly Michael Vance at the no-hundred block of Harris Creek Road in Hampton.”
Police later added, “Mr. Vance has been charged with first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in reference to the homicide of Dr. WilliamTrolenberg at Huber Road and Jefferson Avenue on June 19, 2019. The investigation remains ongoing.”
Trolenberg was found shot near his car in the parking lot of his dental practice, Deer Park Dental, police said.
Trolenberg later died at the hospital.
Newport News Police wrote on Twitter, “This incident is now a homicide: The victim from today’s shooting at Huber Road/Jefferson Avenue has succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The victim has been identified as 65-year-old William Trolenberg of Hampton. The investigation into this homicide remains ongoing.”
Trolenberg was a U.S. military veteran who served as Chief, General Dentistry Element at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia following a 20-year career in the military, according to the Deer Park Dental website.
Signs at the dental practice said it would be closed indefinitely, according to the Daily Press.
Police Identified ‘Person of Interest’ Thursday
Newport News Police released photos and a description of a “person of interest” in the shooting. It was not immediately clear whether that person was Vance.
“PERSON IF INTEREST IN SHOOTING INVESTIGATION,” Newport News Police wrote on Twitter. “We continue to investigate the shooting that occurred this afternoon in the area of Huber Rd./Jefferson Ave. If you recognize this man, call Det. Comer at 757-570-9092 or call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.”
They later released a description of the person of interest. They said he was a white man with dark hair, and he may have had mud on his pants. Again, it was not immediately clear whether this was a description of Vance.
“In reference to this shooting, a possible suspect description of a white male with dark hair, wearing a black shirt and tan pants was provided. It was also reported that he had mud on his pants. Investigation remains ongoing,” police wrote on Twitter.
A witness, Armani Delk, told WAVY he saw a man he did not recognize pacing up and down Huber Road, close to the dentist’s office. He said he thought nothing of it until he heard two gunshots.
He was familiar with the dentist, and said his grandma recently visited Trolenberg’s practice.
“It’s too close to home. Too close,” he said.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew told WAVY a daylight shooting in a residential area caused concerns for him and for the community he serves.
“I don’t like seeing some of the looks I saw on residents’ faces today, and I want to bring quick closure to this incident,” he told WAVY.
Newport News Community Held Vigil for Dentist
Newport News Police and the community held a vigil for Dr. William Trolenberg to remember the dentist and military veteran, and to gather information about the suspect.
Nike Clemmons with 13 News Now wrote on Twitter, “In just a few minutes @NewportNewsPD and people in the community are going to pray and then walk around the community handing out these flyers. Lots of people out here who knew Dr. Trolenberg.”
The fliers included photos of the person of interest and a description and encouraged the public to share any information with police.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said he “wholeheartedly” believed police would solve the case.
“This community is feeling it,” he said, according to Clemmons.
Trolenberg’s friends and patients said at the vigil they were shocked by the loss of the dentist, who was beloved in the community, according to WAVY.
“I’m really at a loss of words right now,” one of Trolenberg’s patients Ahmed Yousef, told WAVY. “I’ve been here for 11 plus years. I really feel bad for him, because he was such a nice guy.”