In the early hours of a Tuesday in Portsmouth, Virginia, the life of Zachary Alexander-Dallas Caldwell, a 29-year-old Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On October 17, 2023, at approximately 1:15 a.m., police responded to calls of gunfire in the 4700 block of Viola Terrace. Upon their arrival, they discovered Caldwell suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate medical attention he received at the scene, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting painted a picture of a violent altercation. Evidence at the scene included two damaged vehicles, one on the road and another that had come to rest on a nearby front lawn. Neighbors reported hearing a shooting in front of a house, which was followed by the sound of a vehicle collision a short distance away. The exact sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting became the focus of the ensuing police investigation.
The Portsmouth Police Department's investigation quickly led to a suspect. Cody West, a 29-year-old, was arrested in connection with Zachary Caldwell's death. West was subsequently charged with a litany of serious offenses, including aggravated murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, shooting with intent to maim, possession of a firearm by a felon, wearing a mask in public, shooting across a roadway, and reckless handling of a firearm.
Following his arrest, Cody West was arraigned and a court-appointed attorney was assigned to his case. He was held in custody as he awaited his next court appearance, which was scheduled for December 8, 2023. The community was left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of Zachary Caldwell, who was remembered by his family as a devoted husband and father who treasured his family and friends. While an arrest has been made, the legal process is ongoing to bring the case to a final resolution.
