NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A shooting in Newport News that left two dead and another injured Wednesday night stemmed from an argument about family matters, Police Chief Steve Drew said.
The shooting happened on the 700 block of 16th Street in East End, where officers arrived and found three men suffering from gunshot wounds.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene. Drew identified him as Tracey Williams, 54. A second man, Dalontae Taylor, 25, was taken to a local hospital where he later died.
The third man was taken to the hospital, as well. He is expected to survive, the police chief said.
Describing the shooting as "domestic," Drew said in a Thursday news conference that an argument about family matters inside a home Wednesday night escalated when Williams left and then returned with a gun.
According to the police chief, Williams fired his weapon, resulting in Taylor returning fire in self-defense. Investigators believe the men fatally shot each other, and that Williams also shot another unidentified man in the home.
Drew identified Williams as the boyfriend of Taylor's mother.
“To me, it's just tragic when you have a domestic situation, everyone knows everybody. An argument, last night an argument. Today? It resulted in two loss of life and another individual injured,” said Drew.
Police could not recall a recent history of domestic-related calls at the home where the shooting happened.
Drew added a car believed to be owned by Williams was towed by authorities. Detectives reported finding two guns, several rounds and shell casings inside, which will be evaluated as part of the ongoing investigation.
The chief said it’s heartbreaking the family's conflict couldn’t be resolved peacefully: “Some better decisions, de-escalation methods or coping mechanisms maybe could've prevented [it].”
Some people 13News Now spoke with who live in East End are saddened by the violence, too. Frankie Williams -- no relation to Tracey Williams -- was moved to tears talking about the shooting.
"Please keep the guns down, because guns in the wrong hands ain't doing no justice,” he pleaded.
Despite the shooting Wednesday night, police in Newport News have seen crime levels trending down. 13News Now records show at least 10 homicides this time last year compared to six so far this year in the city.
Neighbors like Frankie Williams want the violence to end altogether.
“Please come to a stop,” the longtime Newport News resident said.