PORTSMOUTH, Va. - An investigation is underway in Portsmouth after a city employee was found dead in the 1300 block of Effingham Street.
Allen's family identifies him in this photo
The call to investigate a suspicious situation behind a home came in around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Once officers arrived, they found a man unresponsive in the 1900 block of Pavilion Drive. Medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Police have identified the man as 56-year-old Willie Allen of Portsmouth.
Based on the injuries found on his body, detectives are investigating Allen's death as a homicide.
On Wednesday police said Allen's injuries were from a gunshot wound.
Allen was an employee with the City of Portsmouth for over 30 years and was working during the time he was killed.
News 3 talked with Allen's ex-wife and son Tuesday night.
“He was a hard-working person, always paid his bills always wanted to help others," said Allen's ex-wife. "He believed in God, he always went to church on Sunday. He loved to work so much."
During Tuesday night's city council meeting, Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe made the following statement:
Today, the city mourns the death of one of our employees and members of the Portsmouth Family, Mr. William Allen, a Pump Station Mechanic in the Department of Public Utilities, employed with the city for 37 years. Mr. Allen was senselessly killed while responding to a dispatched call at the Race Street Pump Station off Effingham Street. Mr. Allen is remembered by his fellow team members as an employee who was very helpful in sharing his knowledge and skills with newly hired employees to ensure they were well prepared for the job.
Our condolences go out to his wife Regina and the Allen Family.
The investigation is ongoing. Police have not released a description of the suspect or a motive.
If you have any information on this incident, call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
