In the late hours of a Thursday evening in Norfolk, Virginia, the life of 49-year-old Eugene L. Thomas was tragically cut short. On August 17, 2023, at approximately 9:45 p.m., the sound of gunfire echoed in the 900 block of East Brambleton Avenue, forever altering the course of many lives. Responding officers discovered Mr. Thomas suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
He was a male.
The events leading to the discovery unfolded dramatically as two Norfolk police officers on patrol nearby heard the gunshots. As they drove towards the sound, they witnessed gunfire erupting from a passing vehicle. The officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled, leading to a pursuit that ended in the 300 block of E. Olney Road. Following a brief foot chase, two individuals were taken into custody. The swift actions of the officers were praised for bringing a rapid response to the violent act.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a second victim, a 25-year-old man, was located in the 700 block of Chapel Street with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. The investigation quickly led to the identification and charging of two suspects. DeAndre M. Davis, 20, and Arkeem D. Butcher, 24, were both charged with second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of use of a firearm. They are being held in the Norfolk City Jail without bond.
