NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A 16-year-old boy was killed in a broad-daylight shooting in Newport News Sunday, authorities said.
Just before 4 p.m., the Newport News Police Department was called for a report of gunfire on Hustings Lane off Old Courthouse Way. The neighborhood sits in the Courthouse Green community near Denbigh.
Officers responded and found the juvenile victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The department said authorities are still investigating the circumstances of the shooting and said there is no suspect information at this time.
Resident Floyd Bond said he heard a single gunshot while watching football.
"It's very alarming. I just want to send my prayers out to the family and the community," Bond said.
Based on 13News Now records, the teen killed on Hustings Lane was the 37th person to die in a homicide in Newport News in 2023. That means the city has well surpassed the number of 31 homicide victims in all of 2022.
Siblings Troy and Chanell Ketchmore with Ketchmore Kids, Inc. are heartbroken by the loss of the teenage boy.
"It's real heartfelt, it's unfortunate. This young man should be somewhere attending school, getting ready to pursue dreams and goals," Troy said.
The duo promotes and operates gun violence intervention and prevention, conflict resolution, parenting and music therapy programs.
"We have to learn how to resolve conflicts. Every beef doesn't have to end in death," Troy added.
Ketchmore Kids' latest initiative takes form of yard signs, like what you normally see for campaigns during election season.
They want people to get behind this one message: "Please stop shooting."
"Elect peace. This is not just in hotspot areas, but these signs need to be in all communities all across the entire Hampton Roads area," Chanell said. "Maybe [people] aren't able to use their voice verbally, but this still gives them an opportunity to be part of the movement."
If you want a yard sign, you can request one on Ketchmore Kids' website. There are around 80 left, but fundraising is underway to make more.
Anyone with information on the shooting at Hustings Lane is asked to call the Crime Line at 1–888-562-5887 or leave a tip online at P3Tips.com.
Late Monday afternoon, a spokeswoman with Newport News Public Schools sent 13News Now the following statement.
"Denbigh High School sent an email message to families today about the death of a 10th-grade student and the availability of a team of student support specialists."