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Police arrest man in fatal shooting on Mount Vernon Avenue in Portsmouth

Feb. 19, 2022 (Courtesy - Portsmouth Police)

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Police are investigating a homicide after a man was found with a fatal gunshot wound early in the morning Feb. 19.

According to Portsmouth police, the call for the shooting came in around 2:13 a.m. in the 600 block of Mount Vernon Avenue.


Officials tell 10 On Your Side when they arrived on the scene, they found a man, later identified as 35-year-old Lawrence Cowfer, with a fatal gunshot wound.

Police arrested 32-year-old Johnnie Rodriguez on Feb. 28 after he turned himself in at the Portsmouth Police Department.

Rodriguez is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, use of a firearm, shooting in the commission of a felony, and six counts of felony child endangerment.

Those with information can submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips app to a mobile device, or visiting www.P3tips.com and submitting a tip.

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