In the late evening hours of June 27, 2021, the life of 37-year-old Andre Lamont Ford, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Newport News, Virginia. Around 10:08 p.m., Newport News Communications received a distress call reporting a shooting in the 7100 block of Belvedere Drive. Upon their arrival, police officers discovered Ford outside an apartment building, suffering from a gunshot wound.
Despite the immediate response of medics, his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Newport News Police Department launched an immediate and thorough investigation into the homicide. Detectives and the forensics team worked diligently, and their efforts, combined with valuable input from the community, quickly led to a significant development in the case. Within days, a suspect was identified and taken into custody, bringing a swift sense of resolution to the initial phase of the investigation.
On June 30, 2021, authorities announced the arrest of 21-year-old Dontre Joseph Grier, a resident of the same block where the fatal shooting occurred. Grier was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The police department publicly acknowledged the crucial role that community cooperation played in the rapid progression of the case, leading to the apprehension of the individual they believe was responsible for Andre Lamont Ford's death.
