In the winter of 2022, a violent encounter at a Virginia hotel cut short the life of David Branch. The 40-year-old man was fatally shot on February 2, 2022, at the River Walk Inn in Portsmouth. Another woman, his girlfriend, was also critically injured in the attack but survived.
Born on July 11, 1981, David was described by those who knew him as a happy, humbled, and fun-loving person who cherished his family and children. He was a father of eleven and a grandfather to four.
His contagious smile was said to light up any room, and his giving spirit meant he would help anyone he could. He attended Portsmouth Public Schools and was employed at Roger Brown's Sports Bar.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Portsmouth Police Department identified 32-year-old Demonte Worrell as the suspect in the death of David Branch. Law enforcement also announced they were searching for two women they believed had information about the fatal shooting. The family of David Branch, devastated by their loss, held a vigil and called for an end to gun violence in their community, urging anyone with information to come forward. His sister expressed her hope that no other family would have to endure such a tragedy.
