Rennie Edward “P.D.” Hunt Jr.

How they died

Deadly force

Danville Police received a 911 call from Teressa Jennings. Jennings was concerned about her friend, Virginia Evans, and said she had not been able to reach Evans for two days despite calling and knocking on her door. Jennings reported that Evans had a live-in boyfriend, Rennie Hunt, whom Jennings described as a "mental patient" who had been "in and out of the hospital." Three DPD officers met Jennings at Hunt's apartment, where Hunt refused to let them in. Evans called from inside the house that she was "okay," but that Hunt would not let her come to the door. When officers called out to Hunt, he told them "not to be concerned with" Evans and to "leave [him] alone." After failing to confirm Evans's safety, they contacted their supervisor, Captain David Stowe, who came to the scene. Hunt refused to let Stowe check on Evans. Lieutenant Hugh C. Wyatt, a DPD hostage negotiator, was called. When Wyatt spoke to Hunt through the back door, Hunt yelled, "I'm going to blow your goddamned head off." This threat led Wyatt to cease negotiations, and officers decided to seek an arrest warrant against Hunt for assault. Police forced their way into the apartment through the back door. After Hunt came toward the officers twice, swinging what appeared to be a scythe and brandishing what looked like a knife, three officers shot and killed him.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Rennie Edward “P.D.” Hunt Jr., and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources