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Two charged with murder after man shot to death on Piedmont Avenue in Portsmouth

  • Matt Twist

    • PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Two men have now been arrested and charged with murder after a man was shot to death in Portsmouth on Oct. 6.

    Police say the shooting happened near the 2100 block of Piedmont Avenue and the man crashed into a house on Palmer Street in Portsmouth. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died.


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    The victim was identified as 23-year-old Quashawn Clark.

    Police first arrested 58-year-old Tony J. Hicks in connection with the homicide. He is charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and distribution of narcotics.

    Police also arrested 58-year-old Thomas Lee Austin on Nov. 15. He’s charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    • Tony Hicks, 58 (Photo courtesy: Portsmouth police)
    • Thomas L. Austin, 58 (Photo courtesy: Portsmouth police)

    Officers were called around 4:41 a.m. for the shooting and subsequent crash in the 1700 block of Palmer Street and found Clark inside the crashed car.

    Neighbors said their house shook when the car hit the house, but they didn’t hear gunshots.

    “I came outside and a car was in my house,” Portsmouth resident Awilda Carter told 10 On Your Side.

    A single mom and her two children were inside the house on Palmer Street when the car crashed into it. They are unharmed, but the house is condemned and they will not have a place to live. A family friend set up a GoFundMe account to help them get back on their feet.

    While interviewing, family members of victims arrived at the scene. Carter was too emotional to continue the conversation. “She feels sorry for the family, that’s what’s going on. She is concerned about her home, but the heart of the other family is also a part of her heart right now… so it’s emotional for her as well,” Carter’s friend said.

    No additional details have been released.

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