PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Days after a Portsmouth family laid their 10-year-old loved one to rest, police are amplifying their calls for a person of interest connected to the child's case to come forward.
"This young man right here. This is why we're here today," said Det. Gino Jackson, who held up a photo of Keontre Thornhill.
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To move the needle on the investigation into Keontre's homicide, Det. Jackson is calling on person of interest Cleon Banks to come forward.
Investigators have wanted to talk to the 26-year-old man since April 27.
"To date, Mr. Banks has failed to cooperate with the investigation and has not made contact with Portsmouth Police Department," said Det. Jackson.
Banks is considered armed and dangerous. While he's not charged and no active warrants have been filed against Banks at this time, police want to ask him questions.
"Based upon where we are in the investigation, we believe that there were actions taken by Mr. Banks that day which may have led to chain of events that caused the shooting," said Det. Jackson.
Banks' last known address is in Suffolk; however, he's also linked to an address near where the incident took place, according to Portsmouth police.
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Det. Jackson said a fight between juveniles on Farragut Street escalated into gunfire and ultimately the deadly shooting of innocent Keontre on the evening of April 26.
So far, police have charged Shawnday Ross, 31, with one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
"Parents, be parents. Do not contribute to your children going in neighborhoods fighting. Don't take part, don't contribute to that type of behavior. We need to stand up and be parents," Det. Jackson pleaded.
Eugene Swinson, co-founder and director of Portsmouth-based Big Homies Community Outreach, echoes the detective's sentiment, because of what's at stake.
"Every kid, if a city is having a gun violence problem, every kid is at risk," said Swinson.
Reflecting on the Farragut Street incident, Swinson couldn't help but think conflict resolution skills could've prevented the innocent boy's death.
At Big Homies' programs, Swinson said youth participants are guided away from gangs and taught to resolve disagreements peacefully.
"We teach how to deal with it without being violent with each other because it seems like the kids, nowadays, is that's their first option," Swinson added.
During the news conference, police maintained a stray bullet pierced Keontre's home, fatally hitting the innocent boy inside. His loved ones demand justice and answers.
Keontre's mother and stepdad were in attendance at Portsmouth police's Wednesday news conference.
They mentioned how fighting within the neighborhood among juveniles had been brewing.
"There was fighting that whole week. It was going on from the school and it led onto the neighborhood. So, the killings could've been in the school," said Arvis Scott, Keontre's stepfather.
During the news conference and at Keontre's vigil on April 28, Keontre's mom Kevina Thornhill recounted calling police the week prior to the shooting to alert them about the fights happening outside. She said she didn't see officers show then.
If you know anything that can help police solve the case of Keontre's murder, call the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887 or use P3 Tips online. You can remain anonymous.