Latoya Acree, a soul singer from Virginia who was a member of Washington, DC-based band True Soul, has died after her son shot and killed her in an argument in late September. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Acree, 41, was found with gunshot wounds in the driveway of her home on Pondoley Drive just after midnight on Saturday September 16. His son, Elijah D. Smith, 21, was arrested and charged in connection with his murder

According to the sheriff’s office, responded at Acree’s home after receiving a call around 12:30 a.m. on September 16 regarding a reported shooting, according to NBC Washington. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Acree with a gunshot wound to his upper body. Doctors tried to save the singer, but was unsuccessful, and Acree was pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation found that “there had been a family dispute prior to the shooting between” Acree and her son, who was identified as a suspect in his mother’s murder and later found at a Four Mile Fork hotel, near. The 21-year-old was arrested and charged with second degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, WTVR confirmed.

Soul singer Latoya Acree shot dead by son Elijah D. Smith #SmartNews https://t.co/JcfJXHV0py

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Acree had been a beloved member of the Virginia soul community and had been part of the band True Soul, which performed in the DC area. Acree joined the group in 2019, said Pam Gallahan, group marketing director and close friend of Acree. OMCP news. The group were preparing for a show the following weekend to raise awareness about domestic violence, which they dedicated to Acree after her murder.

“She befriended everyone she met… she was just a very genuine and kindhearted person… She will be remembered for her heart, just as much as for her voice,” said Gallahan, adding that he was aware that Acree had a sometimes strained relationship with her son. “I knew she had issues, not at this level, nothing where I was worried about her safety or anything like that.

In addition to signing, Acree was in the process of becoming an actor. She recently played a role in an independent film shot in Washington. Caesar Roy, the band’s lead singer, added: “She was just starting to take off, that’s what is so devastating.” Gallahan and Roy said his loss broke the hearts of the group. For the moment, no further information on the case has been provided.