PORTSMOUTH, Va. — On Thursday night, the Portsmouth Police Department and Third Baptist Church held a vigil for a "Community Prayer Vigil for Peace and Reconciliation" at the church. It was the first time the police department and Third Baptist Church hosted the event.
In 2023, nearly 40 people lost their lives to gun violence. Michelle Johnson said her son, Keith Alexander Wright, was an aspiring rapper. She said he was among those killed last year.
"I don't understand why it's going on, but my son's light was put out so early," said Johnson.
Police Chief Steve Jenkin cried as he addressed as he addressed the audience. He said the city needs to do more to keep its citizens safe.
"We were fortunate that we didn't experience any homicides in the month of December, and we're going to take the fact that we had less homicides than the year before, but we still had 39 too many," said Jenkins.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth Commonwealth Attorney Stephanie Morales said her office is doing everything to decrease violence in the city.
"We certainly are going to be in our community. [We are] working to do everything we can to provide services to our victim witness department. We have successfully obtained a grant to have a cease-fire in the area of gun violence prevention, and so we're going to be doing everything that we can both in the courtroom and in the community," said Morales.
As community members comforted each other, they all hoped the gun violence would end.
"Portsmouth, we need to be a people of peace. We need to begin to have a reputation that Portsmouth is a city of hope and a city of change for the good," said Third Baptist Church Pastor Joseph Fleming.
Chief Jenkins said the Portsmouth Police Department will launch a community group called "Portsmouth United." An interest meeting will happen on Tuesday, January 9, at the Portsmouth Police Department at 9 a.m.