In the early morning hours of June 7, 2022, the quiet of a Portsmouth, Virginia neighborhood was shattered by a brutal act of violence that claimed the life of 34-year-old Ashley Merricks and three others. Merricks was found deceased inside a home on Maple Avenue in the Prentis Park neighborhood, the victim of a quadruple shooting. Also killed in the attack were Georgio Devontae Lee, 30, Oleisha Deanna Mears, 37, and 66-year-old Samuel Jones, who succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
The investigation into the quadruple homicide led Portsmouth police to identify two suspects: 58-year-old Raymond Gore and his nephew, 40-year-old Antwann Jacque Gore. Both men were arrested and faced multiple charges, including aggravated murder. According to a surviving witness's account, the incident began with a knock at the door. Merricks answered, and her screams were followed by a man's voice demanding to know the whereabouts of 'little baby' before a barrage of gunfire erupted.
Raymond Gore's case went to trial in January 2024. During the proceedings, prosecutors presented a witness who testified to seeing Gore at the scene. However, the defense attorneys successfully challenged the credibility of this key witness, pointing out inconsistencies in his testimony and his extensive criminal history. The defense also highlighted the lack of physical evidence, such as DNA or fingerprints, linking Gore to the crime scene. After a four-day trial, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Raymond Gore not guilty on all charges.
Following the acquittal of his uncle, the case against Antwann Gore also came to a close. In November 2024, prosecutors motioned to nolle prosequi the charges against him, which would have allowed for the possibility of future charges if new evidence emerged. However, a judge dismissed this request and the charges against Antwann Gore were dismissed entirely. With no other suspects publicly identified, the murder of Ashley Merricks and the three other victims remains unresolved. The case is still considered open by authorities.
