PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A teenage boy who was shot in Portsmouth has died.
Portsmouth police say the 15-year-old succumbed to his injuries after he was taken to the hospital on Monday night.
The shooting happened around 8:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Chowan Drive. Officers arrived to find the boy suffering from life-threatening injuries. Police say the boy's family has been notified of his passing.
He is the fifth child under the age of 16 to have been shot and killed in Portsmouth this year.
There is no word at this time on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, or if there are any possible suspects.
This remains an active homicide investigation. If you have any information regarding this shooting, please contact the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. You can also submit a tip online at P3Tips.com.
The announcement comes as police departments and other first responders across the country are working to increase their relationships with the community in the annual National Night Out event. The City of Portsmouth set up nine locations for this year's events.
“We’re trying to be positive. We want people to come together and use this opportunity to get to know their neighbors. There’s some safety in numbers in getting to know the people around you," said Portsmouth Police Department Spokesperson Victoria Varnedoe.
Varnedoe hopes this year's national night-out events can build trust in the community to stop the violence.
“It's an opportunity for us all to come together and have a good time and get to know one another.”