Teen boy charged in connection with two Portsmouth homicides
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with two homicides in Portsmouth — one in September and another in October.
According to a news release, the boy was arrested on six charges: two counts each of first degree murder, use of a firearm and underage possession of a firearm.
Three women were injured in the first shooting Sept. 8, and one died. Police responded to the 1900 block of Columbus Avenue, near the Dale Drive intersection, and found Erica Atkins, 31, and Kamia Blount, 26, with gunshot wounds. They were taken to a hospital. Chemiyah Lawrence walked into a hospital with injuries.
Atkins died at the hospital from her injuries, police said.
The second shooting on Oct. 11 took place nearby in the 60 block of Dale Drive. Emergency services found Edward Lamont Santiful, 45, with a gunshot wound. Santiful was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales@virginiamedia.com
