CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The Indian River High School community is mourning the loss of senior Dejour "DJ" Crippen, who passed away Tuesday, according to an email from the school's principal shared with News 3.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share the deeply sad news that one of our Braves, Senior Dejour “DJ” Crippen, passed away this morning. This loss touches us all, and our thoughts and prayers are with Dejour’s family during this profoundly difficult time," the email reads.
News 3's John Hood reached out to the school about the shooting of a 17-year-old in Virginia Beach Monday night based on information seen on social media. The school sent the email in response, though Virginia Beach Police have not confirmed the name of the shooting victim, who they also said passed away on Tuesday morning.
Watch related: Social media a focus of investigations into deaths of Newport News teens
Virginia Beach Police reported Tuesday that the 17-year-old was found shot in the 5700 block of Schoolhouse Road around 9 p.m. He later died at the hospital.
"At Indian River High School, we are a close-knit community," wrote Principal Naomi Dunbar. "Please know, we recognize how painful this news may be for our students, staff, and families. We are here to support each other, especially DJ’s classmates, teachers, and those who knew him well."
Dunbar said the school will offer resources for those struggling following their classmate's death.
One neighbor News 3 spoke with said he tried to help save the teen.
"I talked to him down low, who shot you, give me a name, just give me any name," John Newsom, who lives off of Kempsville Road, said.
Newsome said he heard around five or six gunshots in a row and ran outside to see a teenager lying in the median outside of the Tallwood Apartments.
He said he saw someone in a brown sweatshirt running into the woods along the apartment complex and he ran to help.
"I was on the phone with 911 getting instructions of what to do, two nurses arrived on the scene but were off duty," Newsome said. "They helped, they applied CPR until the ambulance came."
If you know anything about this shooting give Crime Solvers a call at 1 (888) LOCK-U-UP.
