In the early hours of Saturday, May 31, 2025, a senseless act of violence shattered the quiet of Suffolk, Virginia, leaving a community in mourning and a family forever changed. Mikaella Finley, a young woman whose life was cut tragically short, was found dead from gunshot wounds in the 5600 block of Shoulders Hill Road. The discovery, made by Suffolk Police officers responding to reports of gunfire at approximately 1:35 a.m., marked the beginning of a homicide investigation that has gripped the city. Alongside Finley’s lifeless body, two other individuals were found with gunshot wounds, their injuries mercifully non-life-threatening. They were swiftly transported to local hospitals, where they received treatment, but the loss of Finley has cast a heavy shadow over the Sleepy Hole neighborhood, a typically peaceful area near the intersection of Shoulders Hill Road and Laycock Lane.
The Suffolk Police Department, moving with urgency and precision, identified 35-year-old Derrick Dontre Corbett of Portsmouth as the suspect in this brutal crime. Corbett, now the focus of an intense manhunt, faces a litany of serious charges: one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, six counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and three counts of shooting, cutting, or stabbing during a felony. Authorities have warned that Corbett is considered armed and dangerous, urging the public to avoid any contact with him and to report sightings immediately to law enforcement. The gravity of the situation underscores the need for community vigilance, with police encouraging anyone with information about Corbett’s whereabouts or the incident itself to come forward, either directly to the Suffolk Police Department or anonymously through the Suffolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
As the investigation unfolds, details about Mikaella Finley’s life and the circumstances leading to her death remain closely guarded, with police releasing little beyond the stark facts of the incident. The identities of the two injured victims have also been withheld, leaving the community to grapple with questions and grief. The shooting, occurring in the dead of night, has rattled residents of this close-knit area, where such violence is rare. Neighbors, speaking to local reporters, described hearing the sharp crack of gunshots piercing the early morning silence, a sound that left them shaken and fearful. For many, the tragedy is a stark reminder of the fragility of safety, even in a place they call home.
Suffolk Police have emphasized that the investigation is active and ongoing, with detectives working tirelessly to piece together the events that led to this devastating outcome. The department has appealed for public assistance, stressing that even the smallest tip could prove critical in bringing Corbett to justice and providing closure for Finley’s loved ones. Community leaders have echoed this call, urging residents to cooperate with authorities while offering support to those affected by the tragedy. The loss of Mikaella Finley has left an indelible mark on Suffolk, a city now united in its resolve to seek answers and prevent further violence.
As the search for Derrick Dontre Corbett intensifies, the people of Suffolk hold their breath, hoping for swift resolution and healing. For now, the memory of a life taken too soon lingers, a poignant call for justice in a community forever altered by a single, violent moment.
