Portsmouth, Virginia – A chilling incident in Portsmouth, Virginia took place when a 10-year-old boy was fatally shot in broad daylight. The heartbreaking scene was captured by a doorbell camera, revealing the aftermath of the tragic event. The boy, who has not been publicly identified, succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Authorities have taken Shawnday Ross, 31, into custody in connection with the shooting. Ross faces charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Law enforcement officials are also on the lookout for Cleon Deonte Banks, 26, as a person of interest in the case. Banks is considered armed and dangerous, as per police statements.
The harrowing incident unfolded on Farragut Street, with police responding to reports of gunfire around 6:15 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found the young victim with a severe gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, the child tragically succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
Witnesses John Morin-Leidig and Jennifer Dunleavy captured the sounds of multiple gunshots on their doorbell camera. The footage showed a group of children fleeing the scene as the sounds of around 20 gunshots echoed through the neighborhood. Morin-Leidig described the terrifying moment, recounting how they mistook the shots for an active shooter situation.
Dunleavy expressed her fear, noting that while gunshots were not uncommon in their neighborhood, the brazen daylight shooting was particularly alarming. The couple’s quick thinking in contacting the authorities may have helped in the swift response to the incident.
Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins issued a statement expressing his outrage over the tragic loss of another young life due to gun violence stemming from neighborhood disputes. The devastating impact of such incidents reverberates through families, communities, and the city as a whole.
Darrell Redmond, founder of Give Back 2 Da Block, witnessed the aftermath of the shooting and described a community in turmoil. As someone who has known the victim’s family for decades, Redmond emphasized the profound loss felt not just by the family but by the entire neighborhood.
In the wake of this senseless tragedy, the community grapples with the reality of youth violence and the profound impact it has on families and neighborhoods. The loss of a young life serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for violence prevention efforts and community support.