NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A 17-year-old boy who was shot on Gloucester Drive Tuesday morning has died from his injuries, according to Newport News officials.
“I’m a little frustrated today that we’re having this conversation," Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said at a news conference Tuesday morning to discuss the shooting.
Around 7 a.m., a ShotSpotter alert indicated that shots were fired in the 700 block of Gloucester Drive, officials said. There, officers found the injured teen.
Watch: Mayor Jones, Chief Drew condemn gun violence after teen boy is shot to death
The teen was taken to the hospital where he died from his injuries, according to police.
“The activation of technology is what alerted officers. It comes right to their phones or their computers and they were headed right to that scene. The video that I saw of an officer trying to save that young man’s life is because he got there. But I’m telling you, both of these cases will be solved," Drew said, visibly emotional as he spoke.
Exactly one week earlier, a 15-year-old Menchville High School student was shot and killed in Newport News.
A newly-available search warrant Tuesday revealed new information about that shooting.
Watch: 15-year-old boy who attended Menchville High killed in Newport News shooting
According to the warrant, a city camera captured the teen walking to the bus stop at 16th Street and garden Drive at the time of the shooting. The warrant goes on to say the camera pans, then comes back, at which point the teen can no longer be seen. Someone wearing all black can be seen running away, according to the warrant.
Three shell casings were also found at the scene according to the warrant.
“We have to ensure that the safety of our young people is the most important thing. It has to be the paramount thing in Newport News. I’m tired of getting the phone calls in the morning. I’m tired of going down t9o the scene," Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones said at Tuesday's news conference.
Watch: National nonprofit responding after teen shot, killed in Newport News
He called on parents and the community to step up and do more to prevent violence.
"I refuse to let these acts of violence characterize our city in a negative way," Jones emphasized.
Drew emphasized the shooting of the 17-year-old is not tied to any school-related incidents and the boy was not shot at a bus stop. He added that the shooting was not random.
Both Drew and Jones encouraged people to come forward with any information about the shooting. Drew noted video he's seen of the shooting of the 17-year-old indicates there were eyewitnesses.
"There's some video floating around, bits and pieces of officers responding and rendering aid to this young man," said Drew.
Watch: Gun violence on the decline in Newport News
He said the city is working to ensure the boy's family receives the support they need.
Drew declined to say at the news conference if the boy was on his way to school when he was shot or if the boy was a Heritage High Student. He said investigators were not ruling out the possibility that the shooting of the 17 and 15-year-old may be related.
Bianca Wilson stopped by Gloucester Drive Tuesday. She said she's a Newport News native and wants to help her community.
“My goal is to kind of get the community together, to get some walks together for gun violence and also be a presence for the kids who are going into school and coming out of school," said Wilson.
Watch: Norfolk man dedicated to ending gun violence is an 'Everyday Hero'
She also wants to have people at bus stops in the mornings and afternoons to support kids.
“I cannot imagine having a child not being able to see the rest of their future. It’s not okay," Wilson said.
Newport News Public Schools sent an email to parents Tuesday afternoon about the shooting.
Families,
This morning there was a shooting incident in Newport News near Jefferson Avenue and Gloucester Drive. The incident did not occur on school property. The Newport News Police Department is on scene, leading the investigation. While this undoubtedly will impact our community, our school staff remains diligent in ensuring the well-being of our students.
Student support specialists and counselors are available to talk with students and families at all schools who may need support as they hear and learn more about these types of violent events in our community and across the country.
Maintaining open communication with our families is an important part of our students’ well-being and success.
We appreciate and value your partnership.
Both the shooting of the 15-year-old and the 17-year-old remained under investigation as of Tuesday and no arrests had been made.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the NNPD at 757–247–2500 or submit an anonymous tip by calling 1–888-LOCK-U-UP or online at P3Tips.com.
