NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Newport News police say a 17-year-old male is dead after a shooting Monday afternoon at the corner of 32nd Street and Marshall Avenue.
Police, who were already in the area, arrived on scene around 4:22 p.m. and found the victim, a Newport News resident, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead at 4:29 p.m. His death marks the second homicide this year in the city, according to police.
“It’s sad because at 17 years old, you’re still a kid. You still have your whole life ahead of you. For someone to take a life like that, it’s sad,” said Newport News Master Police Officer Brandon Maynard.
Maynard says officers are working to try to curb the violence by getting out and engaging with residents, but they need help from the community.
“It’s a two-way street. We’re out there doing what we can do. We need help from the community to assist us with the violent crimes going on,” he said.
Those living near the shooting agree that the community needs to come together to help.
“Until we come together as one, this is what we’re going to have,” said Larry Dixon, who lives a few doors down from where the shooting occurred.
Dixon and his wife, Lola, say they were watching TV when they heard four shots ring out.
“It’s scary. It’s a scary feeling when you’re sitting in your house and hear gunshots so close to home,” she said.
Dixon says the shooting happened around the time buses come through the neighborhood, so she went out to check to see if anyone was hurt.
She says she saw a young woman walking down the street and asked what happened.
“I said ‘sweetie, is everything OK?’ She said ‘no. We were just standing there talking and someone just came by and shot him. Shot him four times!,'” Dixon says.
The Dixons say they’re sad for the victim’s family and believe societal issues like access to guns and media influence are causing problems for the younger generations.
“What they see on TV about the gangs, they’re just actors. After the show, they go back home. Kids look at it and think it’s a quick way to get rich. Fast life, fast death,” Dixon said.
The Dixons are hoping that parents and the community can work as one to provide safety so kids can get the chance to grow up.
There’s no suspect information at this time, but police encourage those with any information to call the Crime Line at 1 -888-LOCK-U-UP, call police directly, or submit tips anonymously online through https://www.p3tips.com/.
Stay with WAVY.com for updates.
