NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A 3-year-old boy has died in what Newport News Police said was an accidental shooting on Newsome Avenue Tuesday evening.
NNPD responded to the report of the shooting at the Soundview Townhomes on 41st Street and Newsome Drive, and when officers arrived, they found the child inside a residence suffering from a gunshot wound, police said. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“All I heard was one shot,” said Lavale Hamilton, who lives in the Soundview Townhomes. “I heard one shot, mother crying and see a child dying in our community.”
Hamilton says he saw the 3-year-old get carried out of the home in the arms of the police.
“I just seen his little legs and his little arms dangling,” Hamilton said.
Newport News Police said it is investigating the shooting as an accidental, self-inflicted incident.
Police continue to investigate, and NNPD Forensics is processing the scene. Police said one gun has been recovered.
Another neighbor says this tragedy is hitting too close to home.
“A bullet has no name on it at all,” said Brooklyn Foster.
Foster has two young stepdaughters. She said guns need to be out of reach for children.
“They barely lived and a 3-year-old,” Foster said. “[He] didn’t have time to go to school, didn’t have time to be a kid.”
Detectives will be consulting with the Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, police said.
The call for the shooting came in at 8:16 p.m. It was still an active scene as of 10 p.m. with a heavy police presence, and officers were observed going into one of the residences.
A WAVY-TV 10 viewer who wished to remain anonymous sent video of the active scene, showing a heavy police presence.
An officer at the scene said that it had been a very busy day across the city. Residents told 10 On Your Side off-camera that the violence in the neighborhood has gotten out of hand and has them ready to move.
10 On Your Side knocked on the door of one woman who said just the sound of the knocking scared her, saying she didn’t want to answer the door.
On Wednesday, Police Chief Steve Drew issued the following statement in reference to the accidental shooting:
“We understand that the incident that occurred last evening has caused significant concern,” Drew said. “I, too, am concerned about the family and the officers who responded to the scene. I want to emphasize that the investigation is currently ongoing and detectives are consulting with the Commonwealth’s Attorney. We appreciate your patience as we move forward with the investigation.”