Bio

Lonnie Weeks Jr. was born in 1972 and grew up in Southeast Washington, D.C. His early life was challenging. When he was just ten years old, his father passed away. This loss deeply affected his family. After the death of her husband, Lonnie's mother struggled and became addicted to drugs. As a result, she began to steal to support her addiction. When Lonnie turned 14, his mother abandoned him and his siblings, leaving them to be cared for by their grandmother, Ms. Evelyn Leach, in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Living with his grandmother, Lonnie was shaped by her strong influence. He grew up in a neighborhood that was known for crime and drugs, but he managed to stay away from trouble. He was a well-behaved student and actively involved in his church. Lonnie held a part-time job and showed talent in basketball. His skills earned him a scholarship to attend Mount Olive College.

However, before starting college, Lonnie faced a significant life change. He fathered a child in the summer before his freshman year. Remembering the challenges of his own childhood, he decided to give up his scholarship to support his new family. He began to work various low-paying jobs but often felt frustrated and discouraged. He observed that others in his neighborhood had better lives and felt tempted to take shortcuts.

In April 1992, Lonnie was arrested for selling marijuana. It was his first offense, and he was placed on probation. His life continued to spiral downwards. After experiencing violence from a local drug dealer, a neighbor gave him a handgun for protection.

By February 1993, Lonnie decided to steal a car with a friend. He took the vehicle of an acquaintance who was in jail and planned to drive to Washington, D.C. to attend a family gathering. During this trip, he was a passenger in the stolen car with his uncle when they were pulled over for speeding. The events that followed would lead to his arrest and sentencing. Throughout his life, many who knew Lonnie were surprised by his later actions, as he had always been seen as a polite and well-mannered young man.

Murder Story

On February 23, 1993, Trooper Jose Cavazos was on duty in Dale City, Virginia. At around 12:40 a.m., he stopped a speeding Volkswagen Jetta on Interstate 95. The car was being driven by Lonnie Weeks' uncle, Lewis Dukes, with Weeks as a passenger.

When Trooper Cavazos approached the vehicle, he asked Weeks to step out. Weeks complied but was carrying a Glock 9 mm handgun. Without warning, he shot Trooper Cavazos multiple times. The trooper was hit in critical areas, bypassing the protection of his vest.

After the shooting, both Weeks and Dukes fled the scene. They were captured within an hour, tracked to a nearby motel by police dogs. Lonnie Weeks was arrested on the same day as the crime.

Weeks was charged with capital murder, grand larceny, and illegal possession of a firearm. During his trial, he expressed confusion and described a feeling as if an "evil spirit" had taken over him at the time of the attack. He later testified about the regret he felt for his actions, acknowledging the pain he caused to both the Cavazos family and his own.

Weeks was convicted and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection on March 16, 2000. His case drew attention not only for the crime but also for the reactions of the victims' family members, who expressed various views on his execution.