HAMPTON, Va. — Hampton Police is investigating a shooting that left a 14-year-old boy hurt early Monday morning.
That makes four people shot in the city overnight -- all between ages 14 and 20.
A 20-year-old man was shot on North King Street late Sunday night, while two teens--18 and 16--were hit by gunfire on Homestead Avenue and Shell Road in two separate shootings.
The shooting was called in around 3:52 a.m. as a shots fired call in the first block of Andros Isle.
Before officers arrived, a 14-year-old boy was dropped off at the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The boy was hit by gunfire while in a parking lot, according to police. Officials said the motive and circumstances surrounding this incident remain under investigation. There is no suspect information at this time.
Police Chief Kenneth Ferguson released the following statement about the shootings in Hampton overnight:
"Hampton is one of many cities across the region and country that is struggling with an increase in gun violence among young offenders. The age of the victims and offenders are concerning, but we are working on long and short term solutions. This is a problem that is driven by a very small percentage of offenders who are having an immense impact on our communities. We are embracing our responsibility to keep everyone safe. We are working hard to increase the cooperation that we are able to get from our victims because it is impacting our ability to bring them the justice that they deserve. We will continue to prioritize the work that we are doing that will positively impact the conditions that we face. This is certainly a policing challenge. It is also a challenge that will require an ‘all-hands’ approach. It is important that we work together as a community to keep neighborhoods safe."
If you or anyone you know has information that will assist police, they are encouraged to contact the Hampton Police Division at 757–727–6111 or the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP. Tipsters can also send an anonymous tip by visiting our secure tip form at P3Tips.com.