(CSU) PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Five people were shot in four distinct shootings over a brutal 24 hours in Portsmouth. According to police, two of those injured had life-threatening injuries.
According to authorities, two of the shootings began with fights, and one was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Two males were shot on Town Point Road on Thursday afternoon, one of them is in critical condition. Then, on Thursday night, three more gunshots occurred across the city in a two-hour period.
A seriously injured man and a lady are among those who are expected to live.
“Something happened with the gangs,” stated Portsmouth Vice Mayor De’andre Barnes when asked what sparked the shootings.
Mayor Shannon Glover of Portsmouth said he’s heard “rumours” to that effect, but he can’t tell for sure that gangs are to blame.
He admitted, “I don’t have all of the details.” “It makes no difference what it’s about; what matters is that we figure out where it’s coming from, where it came from, and hold these people accountable.”
Portsmouth Police issued the following statement on Friday afternoon:
“We are aware of widespread social media reports claiming that gang violence may occur this weekend. At this moment, we have no evidence to back up that assertion. Someone appears to be seeking for stuff to post online in order to provoke violence and fear in our neighbourhood. We respectfully request that you do not forward these messages in order to assist them. Maintain vigilance and awareness of your surroundings at all times, but do not aid in the spread of fear. We’ll be patrolling throughout the weekend and will keep the public informed of any new information we learn.”
Mayor Glover is in Reno, Nevada, this weekend for the United States Conference of Mayors Meeting, where gun violence is a hot topic.
“I just left a presentation, and most cities around the country are having similar problems finding, hiring, and deploying police personnel. But we’ll keep working in that direction to keep every resident safe in the city,” Glover told 10 On Your Side.
More than 50 cops are currently missing from the Portsmouth Police Department.
“We’re working with our sheriff’s department right now, and state police are bringing in additional resources, so we’re manning up as quickly as we can,” he continued.
“The cops are going to do the best they can with the staff that they have, don’t blame them,” Barnes agrees.
Mayor Glover stressed the city’s curfew of 11 p.m., saying that parents are the city’s first line of defence against gun crime.
“Parents and caregivers must be aware of where their children are,” he said.
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