Police ID man accused in fatal shooting at River Walk Inn in Portsmouth; also seeking 1 woman

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Police have identified the man accused in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old David Branch at River Walk Inn in Portsmouth. They’re also looking for two women in connection with the case.

Police are seeking 32-year-old Demonte Worrell, who is accused of fatally shooting Branch and seriously injuring a woman after an incident the morning of February 2 at the hotel on Effingham Street near downtown Portsmouth.

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Worrell has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm, aggravated assault, two counts of attempted robbery, and possession of a firearm by a violent felon.

Police say they received a call around 5:53 a.m. regarding a shooting at the River Walk Inn near the 300 block of Effingham Street. That is near Crawford Parkway, between London Boulevard and the naval hospital.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a woman with a life-threatening gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital.

A second victim, later identified as David Branch, was found on the scene with a fatal gunshot wound.

Police also named four women considered persons of interest in the David Branch homicide investigation. Two were located and are no longer considered persons of interest. The third is named 29-year-old Shapeda Williams and police confirmed they had spoken with her. Police also said they’re looking for 38-year-old Antinika V. Coker.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Worrell or these women is urged to contact the Criminal Investigation Division at 757–393–8536. Callers can also leave an anonymous tip with the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP or use the Crime Line’s “P3 Tips” app.

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This was the second shooting incident at River Walk in just over a week. A man and girl were shot there on January 24. No one has been arrested in connection to that shooting.

The hotel was also robbed the day before that shooting.

A memorial is planned for 5 p.m. at Riverwalk on Monday, February 7 with law enforcement to help bring awareness to gun violence and crime connected to the hotel.