PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – The Portsmouth Police Department held a press conference Wednesday morning for the April 26 shooting that killed a 10-year-old boy.
On Friday, April 26, police responded to the 30 block of Farragut Street just after 6 p.m. for reports of a shooting.
Officers arrived to the scene and found a 10-year-old boy suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The boy was transferred to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
According to police, 31-year-old Shawnday Ross was arrested in relation to the incident and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
When asked about why Ross was charged in relation to the fatal shooting, Detective Gino Jackson with the Portsmouth police stated that while he could not speak directly on why she was charged, there were actions Ross took that led to her being charged.
“Parents, be parents. Do not contribute to your children going into neighborhoods fighting,” Detective Jackson said. “Don’t take part, don’t contribute to that type of behavior. We need to step up and be parents.”
Police continue to search for 26-year-old Cleon Deonte Banks as a person of interest. There is currently no warrant out for his arrest, but he is considered armed and dangerous.
According to Detective Jackson, it is believed the actions of Banks on the day of the shooting either directly or indirectly led to the death of 10-year-old Keontre Thornhill.
Kevina Thornhill, Keontre’s mother, spoke briefly during the press conference about fights which had been occurring in the neighborhood for weeks, coming from the school. Kevina stated she had called police a week prior concerning the fights in the neighborhood, but that officers never arrived.
Detective Jackson ended the press conference by holding up a photo of Keontre, saying, “this is why we are here today.”
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.