On a late Saturday night in Newport News, Virginia, the life of 24-year-old Jahzeel Maleek Deloatch, a Black / African American male, was tragically cut short. On December 3, 2022, reports of gunshots in the 13200 block of Aqueduct Drive prompted a response from the Newport News Police Department. Arriving at the scene around 10:35 p.m., officers discovered Deloatch outside, suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Emergency services rushed him to a local hospital, but his
injuries proved to be fatal, and he succumbed to them later that night. The circumstances that led to the shooting remain unclear, and the investigation into his death is ongoing. The community was left in sorrow, with family and friends gathering for a Celebration of Life service on December 17, 2022, at Restoration and Faith Ministries, followed by his entombment at Hampton Memorial Gardens.
As of the latest available reports, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide. The Newport News Police Department continues to investigate the case and has urged anyone with information to come forward. They are asking for assistance from the public to help bring justice for Jahzeel Maleek Deloatch and provide closure for his grieving family and community.
