Portsmouth, Va. – A 60-year-old Portsmouth man is now facing murder charges in the shooting death of a family member, police tell NewsChannel 3.
On May 12, 2013 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Portsmouth police received 911 calls related to gunshots in the area of the 3700 block of Magnolia Drive. Additional calls were received related to a person being shot.
Officers arrived on scene, and found a man in the front yard, who was later taken into custody. He is identified as 60-year-old Dennis Laverne Smith.
Police say a second male, identified as 19-year-old Michael Devante Smith, was found on the rear steps of the home, unresponsive, and suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:54 a.m.
Police say the victim was the nephew of Dennis Smith. Both the victim and the suspect lived at the home.
Police say the man had been arguing with his nephew, and at some point during the argument, the suspect grabbed a handgun and shot the victim, while the victim was in the rear of the home ‘socializing with others’.
Dennis Smith has been charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is currently in the custody of the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office.
Stay with NewsChannel 3 for updates.
