PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) -- It was deadly Labor Day for residents in a Portsmouth neighborhood. Police are investigating who shot and killed a man inside a home Monday afternoon.
The shooting took place on the 1100 block of Wilcox Avenue. The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Joshua Sykes.
“I just couldn’t believe it. It just felt unreal, like my heart dropped,” said friend JB Cameron.
Cameron said he has been friends with Sykes for more than 10 years.
“He was a good dude, always make you laugh, just a positive person,” he said.
Cameron said his murder makes no sense.
“Ain't nobody have any problems with him, he was just a good hearted person. I don’t understand why somebody would do something like this to him."
Police were originally called to the house for an unknown problem. When they walked inside, they realized they had just entered a crime scene.
“They found an adult male with a gunshot wound to the upper torso and he was unresponsive. Medics pronounced him deceased at the scene,” said Misty Holley, with the Portsmouth Police Dept.
The entire street was shut down as police interviewed neighbors, but so far there have been no arrests and no suspects.
“We do believe that this is an isolated incident, but we can’t say for certain,” said Holley.
Police aren’t sure if Sykes lived at the house, but he is from Portsmouth. Friends are still trying to piece together the possible motive for his death.
“I have no clue man, this city [is] crazy, like there is so much chaos going around, man. I just hope they find justice, whoever did it,” said Cameron.
If anyone has any information on this case you are being urged to call the Portsmouth Police Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
A police investigation happening on Wilcox Ave. in Portsmouth. Neighbors say one person is dead.#13newsnow pic.twitter.com/9XBPokmuxn
— Robert Boyd (@13robertboyd) September 4, 2017