PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A man is dead after a shooting in Portsmouth early Tuesday. Now, a man is facing charges in connection to the homicide.
Portsmouth police say that they received a call for a gunshot around 1:15 a.m. When police arrived at the scene near 4700 Viola Terrace they found Zachary Caldwell, 29, with a gunshot wound.
Despite life-saving measures, Caldwell died at the scene.
According to the Portsmouth Police Department, 29-year-old Cody West was charged in relation to the homicide. His charges include: Aggravated Murder in the Principal Second, Use of firearm in the Commission of Felony, shoot cut, or stab with intent to maim, firearm by a Felon, wearing a mask in public, shooting across road or in street and reckless handling of a firearm.
“How can this even happen?" asked Portsmouth resident Michele Bartlett. "Why did this even happen?”
Bartlett came across a frightening scene during a normal walk around her home.
“I’ve been here for six years," Bartlett said. "I’ve never ever seen or heard anything bad come out of our neighborhood.”
Neighbors describe the community as quiet.
“A lot of retired military, a lot of active military, a very diverse neighborhood,” said another neighbor who did not want to be identified.
However, their neighborhood is now the sight of another act of violence in Portsmouth.
“The bus stop that my granddaughter goes to is right there at that corner," Bartlett said. "For her to walk down here and see this. I mean, that broke my heart.”
Detectives spent several hours searching for evidence around two damaged vehicles: one parked in the middle of the road and the other sitting on someone’s front lawn.
“My wife got up to go to the restroom and woke me up that there were police cars all outside of the house and they had our yard roped off," the neighbor said. "Definitely a shock.”
Bartlett said after this, none of her family members will walk these streets alone.
“Now, you’re scared. You’re scared to do anything," Bartlett said. "You know, I’m frustrated. I’m upset.”
The owner of the red vehicle that was damaged said off-camera that a shooting happened a few doors down from his home. He said as one vehicle drove off, the driver crashed into his car.
If you know anything that can help detectives, you're asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887 or submit a tip online at P3Tips.com. You can remain anonymous.