In a tragic turn of events on January 6, 2022, Antonio D. Griffin, a 38-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in what police described as a domestic-related incident in Norfolk, Virginia. The violence unfolded in the 1500 block of Hibie Street, where officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim shortly after 4:00 p.m.
Upon their arrival, police discovered Antonio D. Griffin suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Inside the residence, officers found a second victim, 37-year-old Antoininette Griffin, who had also sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound. She was rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The investigation swiftly identified a suspect, 41-year-old Eugene E. Ward. Detectives charged Ward with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm for the deaths of Antonio and Antoininette Griffin. However, before an arrest could be made, the case took another grim turn. On the morning of January 7, 2022, around 9:45 a.m., Eugene E. Ward was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 600 block of Campostella Road.
While the authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the double homicide and subsequent suicide, the incident has been characterized as domestic in nature. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the fatal shootings remains ongoing.
