Benjamin Nesbitt, a 23-year-old male, was fatally shot on February 9, 2024, in Portsmouth, Virginia. The incident, which has been described by police as domestic in nature, led to the arrest of 19-year-old Ahlessha Sykes.
The shooting occurred in the afternoon in the vicinity of Frederick Boulevard and Bart Street. Responding officers found Nesbitt with gunshot wounds, and he was subsequently transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported seeing Sykes fleeing the scene, and she was apprehended by police nearby a short time later.
Court documents revealed a tumultuous relationship between Sykes and Nesbitt. According to these records, Sykes had allegedly been harassing and stalking Nesbitt and his girlfriend prior to the shooting. In a statement to investigators, Sykes reportedly confessed to the killing, telling them she had gone to Nesbitt's workplace with the intention of killing him. The documents detail that Nesbitt was shot multiple times, both inside his vehicle and as he attempted to run for safety.
Following her arrest, Ahlessha Sykes was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting in the commission of a felony. The community and Nesbitt's family mourned his death, holding a candlelight vigil in his memory. Described as a loving father and an Army veteran, his death prompted calls for greater awareness and action against domestic violence. The legal proceedings against Sykes are ongoing, and the final disposition of her case is pending.
