In the summer of 2021, tragedy struck the city of Norfolk, Virginia, with the untimely death of Derrick Roundtree, a 46-year-old man. On the evening of Thursday, June 24th, gunshots shattered the peace in the 700 block of East Virginia Beach Boulevard. Roundtree was shot and subsequently died from his injuries, becoming the third homicide victim in the city within a harrowing 24-hour period. The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m.
outside a local Shop 'N Go convenience store.
Known affectionately as 'Boogie,' Derrick was a father and a well-regarded self-trained master barber who served many in his community. He was also a man of many talents, with a passion for music and art, and was even in the process of writing his first book. Friends and family were left reeling, describing him as a good and loving person. Many who knew him believe he was an innocent bystander, tragically caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. His loved ones gathered in the days following his death, leaving balloons and flowers at the scene and calling for an end to the violence plaguing their community.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Norfolk Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Despite the public outcry and pleas from Roundtree's family for answers, law enforcement had not publicly identified any suspects in the case. The community was urged to come forward with any information that could lead to an arrest, with the police offering a confidential tip line for leads. As of late June 2021, the search for the person or persons responsible for Derrick Roundtree's death was ongoing, leaving a family and a community waiting for justice.
