PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — There are no words for the pain Kevina Thornhill experienced after her 10-year-old son Keontre was ripped from her life, and died in her arms on Friday.
Kevina told 10 On Your Side her son was hit by a stray bullet after a fight broke out in front of their home. Portsmouth Police said the dispute started between teenage girls and erupted when shots were fired. One of those bullets forever changed the life of a mother.
“Nobody will never be able to feel that pain,” Kevina said. “I birthed that little boy, I birthed that little boy, I birthed that little boy.”
Kevina said her son heard the commotion and went to look outside his window — then tragedy struck.
“I held my baby — I held my baby through the time, telling him to breathe,” Kevina said. “I did CPR on my baby and still — nothing.”
She kept repeating that she felt like she’s dying inside. Kevina said she feels angry because her son was only 10 years old. He would’ve turned 11 on July 14.
“It’s nothing more to say I just want my son back,” Kevina said.
She said Keontre was her rock, her comfort.
“That little boy, on times that I was going through, and nobody understand, he would rub my back and tell me, ‘Momma it’s going to be OK,'” Kevina said. “And he’s not here for me to hear his voice to tell me it’s going to be OK, and it’s not going to be OK — it’s not going to be OK.”
The family held a vigil for young Keontre two days after he was killed.
Police Chief Stephen Jenkins attended, visibly angry. He pleaded with the men in the community to step up.
“Stand up! Men, stand up! Enough is enough,” Jenkins yelled into the crowd. “You better start checking their rooms and their phones! I’m tired, I’m charging everybody!”
He spoke with 10 On Your Side’s Raven Payne moments after he made those statements and said the department is going to go after everyone who was involved in the death of this little boy.
“Everything from search warrants on social media, you name it, they’ve been pulling out all the stops,” Jenkins said. “If you don’t feel this, as a 10-year-old minding his own business, then you’re dead inside.”
Keontre’s young cousin Mariah Baxter wanted to give him one last message.
“I love you and I wish that wasn’t you,” Baxter said.
Many of those that attended were holding balloons and released them at the end of the vigil. Kevina was holding an angel balloon, and while the other balloons took to the sky, the angel balloon hovered. A couple people in the crowd said that was a sign he wanted to stay home.
“Yes, baby. Stay home,” Kevina said.
Police have arrested Shawnday Ross in connection with the homicide and are now looking for Cleon Banks. He’s considered armed and dangerous.
Kevina said through her pain, she’ll continue to walk for her son.
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.
