On the late Saturday evening of April 18, 2026, the quiet of a Portsmouth, Virginia neighborhood was broken by the sound of gunfire. Police were called to the 200 block of Mayflower Road around 10:44 p.m. for reports of a shooting. Inside a residence, they discovered 47-year-old Christopher M. Blair, a male, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the homicide quickly pointed to a suspect. Authorities determined that 54-year-old Bentley Tramaine Cherry, a resident of Suffolk, had gone to Blair's home that night. An argument erupted between the two men, which escalated to the fatal shooting. The conflict ended with Blair being shot and Cherry fleeing the scene. Neighbors, who described the area as typically peaceful, were left shocked and frightened by the violent event that had unfolded so close to home. One resident recalled hearing a single gunshot, followed by two or three more, just before a large police presence descended upon the street.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Portsmouth Police Department swiftly made an arrest. Bentley Tramaine Cherry was taken into custody by the following day. He now faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting in the commission of a felony. Cherry is currently being held without bond as the investigation remains active. Public records indicate that this was not Cherry's first violent offense; he had a prior conviction for unlawful wounding dating back to 2009.
As the legal process against the suspect began, the community prepared to say goodbye to Christopher M. Blair. His family scheduled a viewing and a celebration of life to honor his memory. The investigation continues, and police have asked anyone with additional information to come forward to help bring further clarity to the tragic events that led to a man losing his life in his own home.
