NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A senior at a Newport News-area high school was killed in a shooting Tuesday night, offiicals say.
Newport News Police said the shooting happened in the 400 block of Goose Circle — off Warwick Boulevard — just before 7:30 p.m. The victim, who police later identified as 18-year-old Kahli Rahquan Curry, was found outside with a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Curry lived in the area where the shooting happened.
A spokesperson with Newport News Public Schools confirmed Curry was a senior at Denbigh High School. A team of crisis counselors was at the school Wednesday to provide support for students and staff.
Less than 24 hours after the shooting, police officers urged the community for help to reduce crime in the city.
Police Chief Steve Drew held a community forum to tell residents about the reduction in crime in city.
Earlier in the day, he joined other officers, clergy, city council members, and students as they walked through the Waverton Ashton Green Apartments, where Curry was shot and killed Tuesday night.
It’s the second homicide in the city in two days and the second community walk they’ve put on.
“We’re all frustrated,” Chief Drew said about the homicide. “This is a tragic event that shouldn’t have happened.”
Police and residents both say the apartment complex is quiet.
Tuesday’s homicide was only the second service call to the complex since January, according to police.
“It’s comforting because we know we have support. It feels a little safer to know we have support out here from the whole department,” said one resident who did not want to be identified.
The community group talked residents in hope of learning information about the crime and checking to see how residents were coping.
High schoolers with the Young Adult Police Commission joined them to show they also care about the community.
This walk was different for them though because Curry also attended Newport News Public Schools.
“It could be a brother, a friend, any student and it could happen to anyone,” said Heritage High School student Elijah Brown.
Brown says it was important for him and other teenagers to assist with the community walk so other lives won’t be taken so soon.
“If you start while you’re young, you’ll know better later in life. We have to work. We have to stop the violence that goes on in this community,” he said.
Chief Drew agreed and believes youth with the Young Adult Police Commission can help get other young adults to open up about what they see.
Police do not have any suspect information. If you know anything, you can call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or use the P3 tips app. Information can be submitted anonymously.
