In the late hours of a Monday night in Portsmouth, Virginia, tragedy struck in the city's Downtown section. On August 9, 2021, police were called to the 400 block of High Street just before midnight to respond to a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered 32-year-old Brandon Edwards suffering from grave injuries. Medics quickly transported him to a nearby hospital, but his wounds proved to be fatal, and he died.
Brandon D. Edwards was a graduate of I.C.
Norcom High School's class of 2008 and worked as a self-employed Home Improvement Specialist. He was a father to three daughters, Aniyah Edwards, Zhane' Easley, and Amiyha Easley, and a son, Kharmari Edwards. His family was left to mourn the sudden and violent loss of their loved one.
The Portsmouth Police Department immediately began investigating the homicide. Their efforts quickly led to a suspect, and an arrest was made in connection with the fatal shooting. William J. Pickens, who was 43 years old at the time, was taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Pickens was charged with several serious felonies. The charges brought against him included First Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Reckless Handling of a Firearm, indicating the severe nature of the alleged crime that cut Brandon Edwards' life short.
