PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth police are investigating a pair of shootings that happened within just minutes of each other Tuesday, one of which left a man dead and another that injured a juvenile.
Shooting at London Oaks apartment complex
The first shooting happened around 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of Mount Vernon Avenue at the London Oaks apartment complex. Police confirmed officers found 30-year-old Maurice Andre Brown shot to death.
Shooting at Dale Drive
Within a half-hour, at 10:28 p.m., another shooting happened in the 30 block of Dale Drive. Police said a boy went to the hospital for his injuries.
While he didn't see the shooting happen, Randy Grant lives nearby and said he hears about two to three shootings a month in his neighborhood.
"I think about another child hurting someone else’s child," Grant said. "I just pray to God that these children come to some type of understanding and realize they’re just hurting each other."
As of Wednesday evening, Portsmouth police had not provided an update on the boy's condition. But they're asking the public to keep an eye out for a red car that they believe is connected to the crime.
Dale Drive has, indeed, seen an abundance of gun violence. Earlier this month, on Sept. 8, three people were shot, including 31-year-old Erica Atkins who died.
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Family of Portsmouth woman killed in triple shooting wants answers
Just hours before the shootings Tuesday night, Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins, addressed city council, making remarks on recent crime trends.
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“Those homicides, in my opinion, were nothing more than domestic terrorism within our city, committed by a coward," Chief Jenkins said.
According to Jenkins, there are 28 homicide victims from Jan. 1 through Sept. 17 of this year. In his report, he said 27 of them are related to gun violence, and one victim died after someone sold them drugs.
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News 3's Zak Dahlheimer reported Jenkins clarified that the above numbers are excluding one homicide victim in an officer-involved shooting.
The shooting Tuesday night off Mount Vernon Avenue would make number 28. During the same time frame in 2022, there were also 28 gun violence homicides.
“We all need to say enough is enough,” Jenkins said. “We shouldn’t have another meeting like this until we have a situation where we can sit down and put professionals in the room. Whether we get the best and brightest or whomever, and just sit down and look at what issues can we address.”
Randy Grant told News 3's Jay Greene kids need to start being part of the crime solutions conversation, as well.
"Sit down and talk to these children and let them know and be aware of the dangers out here," he said.
Anyone with information about the shootings is encouraged to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
