PORTSMOUTH, Va. — An early Sunday morning shooting in the Olde Towne part of Portsmouth has left a 15-year-old boy dead, police said.
The Portsmouth Police Department said it happened in the 500 block of North Street, which is close to Washington and Dinwiddie streets.
The investigation began around 2 a.m. when officers responded to a shots fired call. While on the way, police learned that a person had been shot.
Medics transported the victim to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.
Robert Wentz, who lives in the area, said he heard gunshots in the middle of the night and later saw several police officers just down the street from his home.
“I heard pow pow pow pow pow! Lots of gunfire which is uncommon, here. But it was here. It was that close. It was loud,” Wentz said.
“Walked out to six or seven patrol cars, crime scene tape. I walked down to the sidewalk and I could see the location of the shell casings they found,” he added.
Wentz said the shooting was a surprise because it’s usually a peaceful area.
“Very quiet,” he said. “I’ve been here 33 years.“
While police have not released specific details about what led up to the shooting, Portsmouth anti-crime activist Darrell Redmond said it’s a big concern that more and more young people are affected by violent crime.
“They’re getting younger and younger,” Redmond said. “That shouldn’t be a concern for our young people. They should be concerned about going to school, getting their education, things like that, and not being afraid… if they’re going to live to see tomorrow.”
Redmond said he continues to work on the ground with other advocates and community members to fight gun violence, by reaching out to youth and setting them on the right path.
“When one person is injured, it actually impacts a whole community,” Redmond said. “Hurt people continue to hurt people.”
An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.