On a tragic night in Norfolk, Virginia, Zabre Akee Miller, a 25-year-old Black man, lost his life in a senseless act of gun violence. The incident, which occurred on September 4, 2022, unfolded at a house party near Old Dominion University that had been advertised on social media. What began as a social gathering took a deadly turn when a fight broke out, escalating quickly into a mass shooting.
Just after midnight, the sound of gunfire pierced the night, sending partygoers fleeing in
terror. When Norfolk Police arrived at the scene in the 5000 block of Killam Avenue, they discovered a chaotic scene with seven people suffering from gunshot wounds. Among the victims was Zabre Akee Miller, who, along with 19-year-old Angela McKnight, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Five other individuals were also wounded in the shooting.
Investigators determined that the altercation at the party led to multiple shooters opening fire with both a pistol and a long gun. While Norfolk's interim police chief at the time, Michael Goldsmith, stated that the incident was not random, no immediate arrests were made in the days following the shooting. The investigation involved collaboration with federal officials, but the search for the suspects continued.
The community was left in shock and mourning, with neighbors recounting the terrifying sounds of gunfire and the sight of panicked college students running for their lives. In the wake of the tragedy, community leaders and anti-violence groups held vigils, calling for an end to the gun violence that had claimed the lives of two young people and forever altered the lives of many others. The investigation into the deaths of Zabre Akee Miller and Angela McKnight remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
