PORTSMOUTH, Va. — People in Portsmouth are once again calling for an end to gun violence after five people got shot in two separate incidents in the city over the weekend. One of those people died.
Elsewhere, three people were also hurt after shootings in Norfolk, Hampton and Suffolk.
Just after 11 p.m. Saturday, Portsmouth Police officers said someone shot four people on Commonwealth Avenue. Police said the victims -- who are all between 18 and 21 years old -- were all taken to the hospital in bad shape.
On Monday, police said one victim remained in critical condition, while two others are in stable condition and a fourth victim has since been released from the hospital.
A Portsmouth resident who did not want to be identified said several people were in his yard having a gunfight with others on the street. His home and fence got hit several times by the gunfire.
“If I had to put a number on it, maybe 12 to 15 bullet holes,” he said. “Kind of devastated actually… Honestly it’s just stupid people. Inconsiderate people who have no regard for other people’s safety or their lifestyle.”
Another resident said she heard multiple rounds. She captured cell phone video of first responders outside her home.
“There were a lot of gunshots, everybody got down on the floor,” she said. “There were three different sets: they started, they stopped, and they started again. They stopped then they started again. Then it went silent for a while.”
Police said investigators believe this shooting is gang related.
As detectives stood on scene investigating, they heard multiple gunshots nearby.
Just down the road, at London Oaks Apartments, police say someone shot and killed a man -- later identified as 32-year-old Darrio Munden. Police said Munden was "an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire" of a gunfight.
Four people are suspected to be connected to Munden's murder, including 26-year-old LeShon Byrd of Portsmouth and a 17-year-old who remains unnamed. Two other 17-year-olds are also believed to involved in Munden's murder.
One of those teens -- Ja'Marion Williams of Portsmouth -- is connected to two other homicides and is believed to be armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Williams' whereabouts is asked to call police immediately at 757-393-8536 or leave an anonynous tip at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
"With a total of 36 lives lost to gun violence in Portsmouth this year, the Portsmouth Police Department would like to emphasize the need for community support to combat these senseless acts. The department urges citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to ensure the safety of the community," according to a release on Monday.
"In the following days, increased presence from the Portsmouth Police Department, Virginia State Police, and the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office can be expected, aiming to apprehend the violent offenders and make the city safer for all residents," the department added.
The shootings came hours after community members, police officers, and anti-crime advocates gathered to discuss crime in Portsmouth.
Saturday morning, the Gun Violence Symposium at Portsmouth’s Zion Bethel United Church focused on identifying what’s causing gun violence and developing strategies to encourage change in the community.
Reverend Dr. John Myers of the Eastern Virginia Association of the United Church of Christ helped organize the effort.
“It’s unfortunate that the event happened shortly after we had this gun symposium, but it just reiterates the work we have to do,” Myers said. “We’re bringing community leaders together to strategize, to inspire, to empower people to empower these children to believe they can make a difference in their community.”
Community activist Bilal Muhammed was one of several advocates at the gun violence symposium.
“We left on a good note - a good note! And knowing that this particular incident occurred [Saturday] night, that tells us that we have a lot of work to do,” Muhammed said.
He called on community and city leaders to do more to reach out to youth, to walk through at-risk neighborhoods and strategize to address the root causes of crime.
“Like we stressed strongly… We are in a very, very serious situation,” Muhammed said. “And if we don’t tackle this problem now, it’s going to get worse.”
These aren’t the only shootings police in our area are investigating.
In Norfolk, police said a 19-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet after a shooting on Flanders Avenue. It happened at 4 a.m. on Sunday. Police charged two people with malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied building and attempted malicious wounding in connection with the shooting.
Up In Hampton, police said a man is hurt after someone shot him multiple times. It happened just after 5:30 p.m. Sunday night on Michigan Drive.
In Suffolk on Friday, police said a woman is badly hurt after someone shot her on Church Street.
Investigators are still looking for suspects in all the shootings except Norfolk. If you know anything you're asking to contact the police.