PORTSMOUTH, Va. — On Sunday, five people were shot across the city of Portsmouth, with at least two of those people dying, according to police.
The violence began just before 3:30 a.m. in the city’s Prentis Park neighborhood on Nashville Avenue, a dead-end road.
That's not far from Deep Creek Boulevard.
According to police, when officers got to the scene, they found two men who had been shot and killed, and a woman who was seriously hurt.
An update from police identified the men as Alvin K. Joyner and Calvin R. Joyner, both 51.
The woman was taken to the hospital, and her condition isn't known at this time.
Around 9:30 p.m., another shooting was reported near the 100 block of Howard Street.
When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot. He's expected to be okay.
Then, right after 11 p.m., an additional shooting was reported near the 20 block of Loxley Road.
When officers arrived, they found a woman who had been shot.
The victim, 62-year-old Terri Miller, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said Miller died at the hospital on February 7.
The wave of violence started early this year, leaving Portsmouth community leaders frustrated.
“Going into the second month and Portsmouth is once again at the top of the food chain when it comes to violence,” said Freddie Taylor, the president of Stop the Violence 757.
“It’s unfortunate that we have great things happening in our city and then we’re surrounded by gun violence,” said Pastor Barry Randall, the president, Brighton-Prentis Park Civic League.
Randall said he continues to call on his community for help.
“Parents need to take responsibility and know where their children are, what’s happening in the lives of their children," he said.
"Our brothers and sisters in the community that are of adult age, need to understand conflict resolution.”
In response to the violence, Freddie Taylor said it’s time for new leadership within city government.
“There hasn’t been any manifestation of change or implementation of the correct prevention and intervention plans,” he said.
Taylor said some of these programs should focus on police engaging in communities hit with violence more often.
“R.E.S.E.T. walks are a positive step, but we have to have the follow-up behind. The community doesn’t need to see us being reactive all the time," Taylor said. "They need to see us being proactive.”
These are ongoing investigations, and some names haven't been released yet.
If you have any information about any of these shootings, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or submit a tip online by clicking here.