Vernon Lashawn Hicks: Person of interest in killing of Portsmouth man on the run as suspect eludes cops

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA: The Portsmouth Police Department is intensifying efforts to locate a person of interest, 39-year-old Vernon Lashawn Hicks, in connection with a fatal shooting.

The incident, which occurred on September 19 in the 1100 block of Mt Vernon Avenue, claimed the life of 30-year-old Maurice Andre Brown.

What are the charges against Vernon Lashawn Hicks?

Hicks, who was present at the scene of the crime, is sought for questioning and faces additional charges of felony revocation and contempt of court for an unrelated incident.

This marks the second individual wanted in connection with the case, as Deonte Dontrell Whitfield was previously named in charges related to concealing evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as per Wavy.

As the investigation unfolds, the community is left in suspense, with no named suspects identified thus far. This marks the second shooting incident on the same night, with a teenager being shot approximately 30 minutes earlier on Dale Drive.

Teenager shot in second shooting incident on the same night

Within half an hour, at 10:28 pm, another shooting transpired in the 30 block of Dale Drive. A boy was hospitalized for injuries sustained during this incident.

Randy Grant, a resident in the area, expressed concern about the recurring violence in the neighborhood, noting that he hears about two to three shootings a month.

Grant shared his sentiments, saying, "I think about another child hurting someone else’s child. I just pray to God that these children come to some type of understanding and realize they’re just hurting each other," Wtkr reported.

Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins spoke before the city council, commenting on the recent patterns of crime.

“Those homicides, in my opinion, were nothing more than domestic terrorism within our city, committed by a coward," Chief Jenkins asserted.

Anyone with information can call the Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887 or submit a tip online using P3 Tips.