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Newport News Police investigating after victim found shot to death inside car

Posted at 11:31 PM, Jul 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-02 18:59:43-04

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Newport News Police Department is investigating a death in the 600 block of 19th Street Thursday night.

Around 9:41 p.m., police responded to the area for a call of a vehicle fire.

Officers arrived at the scene to find a male victim, identified as 31-year-old Javon Stephenson, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds while sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Heard some shots, about five loud shots. The car was over across the street and I was on my front porch," said one witness who wanted to remain anonymous. "The smoke was coming from...the deceased person inside the car. His feet was still on the gas pedal, burning rubber."

The witness tells News 3 he didn't see the shooter and doesn't know Stephenson. He went over to the car to turn it off and says Stephenson was slumped over in the seat with blood on his chest.

"It's very sad," he said. "It makes you feel unsafe. You can't even sit on your front porch."

Police haven't released any further information.

This is a developing story.

Stay with News 3 for updates.