PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The stray bullet that shot and killed a 10-year-old boy Friday, April 26 in Portsmouth was the result of a dispute between teenage girls, police confirmed Monday.
The bullet came through a window striking the boy, Keontre Thornhill, who was not involved in the dispute.
Police said they responded to reports of the shooting at around 6:15 p.m. in the 30 block of Farragut Street.
Saturday morning, April 27, police confirmed Keontre passed away.
Arvis Scott, Keontre's father says he was at work when he got the phone call that would change his life forever.
"All I heard was yelling," explained Scott. "I heard my kids screaming, and I was yelling into the phone asking what was going on, but then I heard mom in the background crying too, and she was saying get a wet towel."
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Scott says he works 20 minutes away and was given a ride home by a coworker, but he knew the worst had happened before even getting out of the car.
"I've been shot before and when people get shot they don't hang tape out," he said. "If it's a dead person, they'll put tape out. So when I came the block was already taped up I already knew my son was gone."
Police have since arrested 31-year-old Shawnday Nakisha Ross, charging her with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Ross had her arraignment on Friday. Her next hearing is scheduled for July 1.
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Detectives are still looking for a person of interest, 26-year-old Cleon Deonte Banks.
Keontre is the eighth Hampton Roads child killed by a firearm this year. Last year, 16 children were fatally shot.
Bilal Muhammad is with 'Stop The Violence 757'. Like Scott, he also lost his son to gun violence last year.
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He says there has to be a change of mindset and heart for change to happen in communities that see gun violence.
"The influence in different neighborhoods. We are constantly influencing our community in a bad direction to go in," said Muhammad. "No longer should it be an eye for an eye tooth for a tooth you're not going to resolve the situation like that."
Instead of resolving it, Scott says gun violence can ruin multiple lives.
"For the rest of our lives, we will just have to look at a picture of our boy," said Scott.
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Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins released this statement about the :
"I met with the mother and extended family of the young boy, whose life was tragically taken, and they were distraught over their son’s death.
As the top officer of the Portsmouth Police Department, I am outraged over another young life taken over neighborhood disputes, where juveniles turn to guns to settle differences. As the Chief of Police, I can assure you that we are doing—and will do-- everything we can to find everyone responsible for the loss of this young life and let the perpetrators have their day in court."
An anonymous tip regarding this homicide can be reported to police by calling 1-888-LOCK-YOU-UP.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
