PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — On the day he was shot to death, Aveyon Jordan had made a college visit and was planning more.
Jordan, 19, who played football and basketball at Churchland High School, was shot and killed on Haywood Drive in Portsmouth late Monday evening, city police said.
Portsmouth Police responded to a shooting that took place near the 4700 block of Haywood Drive around 10:30 p.m.
When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as Jordan, suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene.
Portsmouth City Councilman De’Andre Barnes told 10 On Your Side Jordan played sports with his kids through his nonprofit organization, The Portsmouth City Sports Club.
“Well, the day he was shot dead, he had a college visit,” Barnes said. “He was at Thomas Nelson [Community College] for a college visit. I know from talking to his coach, he also had some more visits coming up.”
He said the kids are, understandably, taking the loss very hard.
“They lost somebody that was important to their community,” he said, “You’ve been laughing, joking, playing with him, fighting on the court, fighting on the football field. And now, just two weeks after the season, he’s gone.”
Jordan was a basketball and football player at Churchland High School.
His wide receiver coach, Lowell Patron Jr., wasn’t available for an interview but sent 10 On Your Side a statement saying, “Aveyon “AJ” was a kid that lit up any room he was in, it was always jokes and smiles. With this being my first year coaching I gravitated to him because he reminded me so much of myself when I was in high school, same number, even the same position at times. I knew AJ looked at me as a role model and I always wanted the best for him on and off the field. He was loved by all his coaches, teammates, and the entire Churchland Community. It hurts that he’s not here to attack his next chapter, but we all know God has bigger things for him.”
The school principal also sent a statement that read:
“It is with a heavy heart I write you to share that earlier today we were made aware we lost one of our students, Aveyon “AJ” Jordan, to a senseless act of gun violence. Our hearts go out to AJ’s family as well as his friends and teammates here at Churchland.
We know how upsetting this news can be, even to those who may not have known AJ personally. If your child would like to talk to someone, we ha[ve] crisis counselors at the school all day today and they will remain here for the rest of the week. In addition, I want to remind families our division partners with Care Solace, a free and confidential service that connects families to mental health care providers. You can access this service at any time on the division’s Here to Help webpage.
Should you have any other specific need or concern for your child as we navigate this loss, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at our main office at 757-686-2500. Thank you for your compassion and sympathies for AJ and his loved ones, and, as always, thank you for your support of Churchland High School.”
Police said they would provide more information as it became available. They held a reset walk Wednesday in the Westwood neighborhood where the shooting took place.
Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact the Portsmouth Police Investigations Bureau at 757–393–8536. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP. You can also reach the Crime Line at **TIPS (**8477). Callers can also submit an anonymous tip through the Crime Line’s “P3 Tips” app or visit their website at www.portscrimeline.com.