PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A 17-year-old boy was arrested in Portsmouth in connection to two shootings that left two people dead and two others hurt, police said.
The suspect was charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and underage possession of a firearm. His name wasn't shared because he's a minor. He was arrested on Oct. 19.
The first shooting happened Sept. 8 in the 2100 block of Columbus Avenue, the Portsmouth Police Department said. Dispatchers got a 911 call for a report of a gunshot at the intersection of Columbus and Dale Drive.
Officers located Erica Atkins, 31, and another woman in her 20s at the scene of the shooting. Another victim went to the hospital with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening. Atkins died at the hospital.
The second shooting happened Oct. 11 in the 60 block of Dale Drive, which is less than half a mile from where the first shooting was.
Police responded and found a man who had been shot. Medics at the scene tried to save the victim, identified as Edward Santiful, but he later died at the hospital.
Erica Atkins's aunt, Monica Atkins, is the Executive Director of Stop the Violence 757 in Portsmouth.
For years, Monica has done work throughout the community to prevent gun violence from entering neighborhoods and families after losing her own son, Antonio Atkins, in a 2014 shooting.
In Monica's office on High Street, she stares at her wall with the words, "We miss you" above photos of her son and her niece. Losing her niece came as a shock to Monica, bringing back painful memories of the time she lost her child.
"After losing my son, you could have never told me I was going to lose my niece," Monica cried. "We have suffered gun violence in my family. It's been since 2013, just on-going, on-going, and on-going, and you ask yourself, how much more can a person take?"
When Monica learned a 17-year-old boy was at the center of these two separate investigations, she said she didn't feel surprised, noting the rise in violence and crime among teenagers in the city. She said the arrest started her on the journey for justice, but it also brought out more questions than answers.
"I'm happy we're moving towards just for my niece," Monica sniffled, thinking about how she's still seeking justice for her own son. "Since I got the news yesterday, you ask yourself, do you know the young man? Do you know his parents? Because you feel like with Portsmouth being so small, we're all considered family, you know? Until people speak up, and hold these people accountable for their actions, that's when we'll see our streets safe again."
Monica describes Erica as a sweet woman. Erica left behind two children and her mother who are now working to cope with this devastating loss. Monica said it's been tough and she's working with her family to keep Erica's children strong through this time.
She said this is why she pushes so hard to bring peace to her community. Through her organization, Monica said she plans to continue her mission and honor Erica's memory to not let the gun violence stop her from creating change.
"My grieving process for me is continue to be the change. Continue to show up for people... and I do this," said Monica. "We are so quick to go back to our norm. People just have to play their part. We all have a part to play. People have to get involved, we have to police our neighborhoods and we just have to take back our community. That's what it's all about, taking back our community."
Portsmouth Police did not say if the teenager knew any of the victims in this case or what may have motivated him. According to the police report, the 17-year-old does not currently face any charges in connection to the two women who got hurt in the first shooting in September.
13News Now reached out to Portsmouth Police to clarify some details in their report, but we have not heard back.