PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A man was shot and killed on Dale Drive in Portsmouth Friday, Portsmouth Police said.
Around 11:03 p.m., officers were nearby responding to a domestic call when they heard gunshots and rushed to the 200 block of Dale Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man with a fatal gunshot wound, police said.
The man was later identified as 28-year-old Daniel Christian Rodgers.
Officers performed life-saving procedures and called medics. Despite their efforts, medics pronounced Rodgers dead on the scene.
Portsmouth police say this investigation remains ongoing and they are searching for suspects.
Investigators are searching for 23-year-old Marquise Toraz Riddick-Whitfield as a person of interest in connection to this homicide.
Police also need the public’s assistance in identifying two unknown male suspects captured in surveillance footage of the incident.
Rumors spread on social media after the shooting, many claiming that officers shot Rodgers.
Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said that’s not at all true.
“When we have individuals that are knowingly putting out false information, it’s important for us in law enforcement to get in front of that information when we have factual information to dispel those rumors,” he said.
He also pointed out that despite there being many people outside at the time of the shooting, no one has come forward to help.
“We know folks are afraid of retaliation and intimidation. However, if you don’t come forward, you allow that stuff to fester in your community.”
Rodgers’ mom Vontrese Rodgers told 10 On Your Side her youngest son had a business and was a mentor in the community.
“I’m here and then again, I’m not here, Vontrese said. “I just want justice to be served and I want the violence to stop.”
Dale Drive has experience a number of shootings in the past few months, and other shootings have taken place there over the years.
In October, a man was shot and killed in the 60 block of Dale Drive. Less than a month prior to that, a juvenile was shot in the 30 block of Dale Drive.
Another man was hurt in a Sept. 11 shooting in the 180 block of Dale Drive.
A little over a year ago, two people died in what police classified as a double homicide in the 260 block of Dale Drive. Police arrested a suspect in that shooting — Brian A. Johnson, who was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, robbery resulting in death and six other charges. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. April 19 in Portsmouth General District Court. Police are still searching for another person in connection to that shooting, Akea M. Faison, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder (principal second) and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
If you have any information about this case, you 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.
