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Family, friends in disbelief after Portsmouth father’s murder

Posted at 8:20 PM, Aug 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-08 23:26:51-04

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Family and friends are in disbelief after police say a Portsmouth man was killed by his step child.

Thursday night, they gathered at Churchland Forest Apartments, where 34-year-old Jamel Howell was killed. They held hands and leaned on one another, looking for comfort.

Those who loved Howell say he was a hardworking man with an outgoing personality, that he was always giving back to the community and that he loved his three kids and two step children more than anything in the world.

"Sometimes I just call him just to hear him say, 'What's up, Ma." I say, 'Oh, nothing, baby boy.' I call him 'baby boy.' That's what I'm going to miss -  not being able to pick up the phone and hear the words that he says, 'Ma,'" said Howell's mother, Debra Jones.

Howell was found unresponsive at the apartment complex around 11:23 p.m. Tuesday night. Portsmouth Police officers began CPR until medics arrived.

Medics pronounced Howell dead at the scene.

Jahquan Jones

19-year-old Jahquan Jones is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with Howell's death.

Officers held a R.E.S.E.T. walk around the complex earlier Thursday afternoon, going door to door to check on the community to make sure residents were doing okay after the homicide.

Chief Angela Greene told News 3 reporter Erin Miller it's important to make sure family and neighbors are connected with the resources they may need to grieve.

“Trauma triggers individuals differently, so while some people may want to talk to a faith leader, some people may want to talk to someone from mental health services. We tried to bring many resources that we have available on hand for them," Chief Greene said.

One new thing the department is doing is handing out gun locks. Officers want to make sure that if someone has a gun that is stolen, the criminal won't be able to actually access it.

The gun locks are also to make sure kids can't get hurt if a gun isn't properly secured.

Another memorial in Howell's honor will be held Saturday at 2 p.m.