In the early hours of a cold January morning in Portsmouth, Virginia, the life of 37-year-old Johnny Burden was tragically cut short. On January 24, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Burden and another man, 34-year-old Jerome Hunter, arrived at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, both suffering from the devastating effects of gunfire. While doctors were able to treat Hunter for his non-life-threatening wounds, Burden, a Black male, succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community to grapple
with the senseless violence that had claimed one of its own.
The initial investigation into the shooting painted a picture of a targeted attack. According to Hunter's account to the police, their vehicle was fired upon near the intersection of State Route 164 and Towne Point Road. In the immediate aftermath, Portsmouth Police detectives began a meticulous search for answers. Their attention was initially drawn to a man seen on surveillance footage running from the hospital shortly after the victims' arrival. They also publicly expressed a desire to question a 19-year-old in connection with the incident. However, these early leads did not bear fruit, and by the end of January, both individuals had been cleared of any involvement in the crime.
For months, the case remained a painful open wound for Burden's loved ones and the community. The search for justice continued, with investigators diligently following every lead. Then, a breakthrough came on April 30. The Portsmouth Police Department announced the arrest of 26-year-old Lorenzo Shamaul Rodgers, bringing a renewed sense of hope that the person responsible for Johnny Burden's death would be held accountable. While the specific details of Rodgers' alleged involvement have not been made public, his arrest marks a significant turning point in a case that began with a hail of bullets on a dark Portsmouth road. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to the untimely death of Johnny Burden.
