NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Police Chief Larry D. Boone held a press conference Friday to address the city's most recent shootings.
Since last Friday, at least nine people have been shot. Four of those people were killed by gunfire.
During the press conference, the Norfolk Police Chief said a new public health committee will address gun violence throughout the city. He said the violence is a "public health issue."
Chief Boone said in his 30-year career working as a police officer, he realizes that homicides greatly impact young black men. He elaborated that this wasn't an issue just in Norfolk, but in any city that looks like Norfolk.
"In Norfolk, the suspect, as well as the victim, generally are black males," Chief Boone said in the press conference. "That's generally the case in 93 to 94 percent of these incidents."
So, the committee Boone plans to start will work to target black males between the ages of 15 and 34. It will work to systematically address the issue of gun violence.
"We've tried marching, we've tried praying, wishful thoughts, and you know, at some point we gotta take a look st systems. We tend to focus on people," Chief Boone said.
Full press conference below:
Here's a timeline, going back through the week, of shooting that took place in Norfolk:
- On Thursday night, three men were shot in the 3300 block of Lyons Avenue. Police said the call for the shooting came in around 9:00 p.m. The three men were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
- Another two people were shot in the NEON District on Thursday night in the 800 block of Granby Street. The injuries with the shooting weren't considered serious.
- On Tuesday, Norfolk police investigated a shooting where two people died. A man was found dead in the 3100 block of Dunkirk Avenue, and another body was found in the 2900 block of Bapaume Avenue. Police said both were connected.
- Later in the day on Tuesday, a person was shot in the 800 block of Wolcott Avenue. The person suffered serious injuries. Officers made an arrested in this case.
- A homicide took place on Saturday, August 24 in the 1400 block of W. 27th Street. A man died at the scene. He was later identified as 38-year-old Willo C. Styles of Norfolk.
- Another homicide happened near IKEA in Norfolk in the 6000 block of Northampton Boulevard on Friday, August 23. A 21-year-old was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
There was also a fatal stabbing in Norfolk on Tuesday. Police said it happened in the 200 block of W. Ocean View Avenue around 10:30 p.m. The victims, 50-year-old Darrell W. Long, died from his injuries.
Police arrested 44-year-old Matthew C. Bass.
Bass has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond in Norfolk City Jail.
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