Darrin Devon Moore had two girls, ages 6 and 10, who live with Moore’s ex-wife in the city, police Lt. Eddie Delano said. Police said Moore’s mother lives in Alabama.

Moore was beaten beyond recognition during a dispute with two other men, police said.

Michael S. Berry, 31, and Bryan Cross, 18, have been charged with first-degree murder, assaulting a police officer and obstruction of justice. They are being held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail. Police think the suspects also were homeless.

Police didn’t release the victim’s name for four days, but they knew Moore and thought it was him early on. According to Virginia court records, Moore had been convicted of several minor offenses in Fredericksburg this year—including driving on a suspended license.

Police confirmed Moore’s identity by finding his car keys in his pocket, locating his car in the 1600 block of Charles Street and matching his fingerprints with those in an FBI database.

Police still don’t know an official cause of death, but they believe it was from head trauma caused by punches and kicks. Delano said Moore also had defensive injuries on his hands and arms.

Witnesses said the three men seemed to be getting along at one point that evening. But residents later reported shouting and the sounds of a man being viciously beaten.

Police said the beating, which lasted at least 10 minutes, continued even after officers arrived and ordered the men to stop. The suspects were hit with a baton as they turned their anger on the police.

Both men were arrested on the footpath after trying to run, police said. By the time officers arrived, the victim had no pulse and rescue workers were unable to revive him.

A preliminary hearing has been set for both suspects May 3. The slaying is the city’s first homicide of the year.

To reach BILL FREEHLING: 540/374-5424 bfreehling@freelancestar.com