On a late September afternoon in Portsmouth, Virginia, the life of 28-year-old Robert Langston III was tragically cut short. On September 26, 2020, in the 3000 block of Airline Boulevard, Langston was shot and killed. Emergency dispatchers received a call about an injured man shortly after 3 p.m. Upon their arrival, investigators discovered that Langston had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his torso.
His family was promptly notified of the devastating news.
In the days that followed, an outpouring of grief was evident as family and friends gathered to create memorials in front of the 7-Eleven where the shooting occurred. Those who knew him remembered Langston as a devoted father and a proud military veteran. Friends described him as a family man who brought joy to those around him, expressing their profound loss and hope for justice.
The Portsmouth Police Department quickly began their investigation into the homicide. Detectives identified 36-year-old Robert L. Smith as a person of interest in the case and publicly sought information regarding his whereabouts. The police department urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward and contact the Major Crimes Unit or to submit anonymous tips through the Portsmouth Crime Line.
Despite the public identification of a person of interest, information regarding an arrest, charges, or a trial in connection with the death of Robert Langston III has not been made publicly available. The case remains a painful memory for his loved ones and the Portsmouth community, a stark reminder of a life taken too soon. The quest for justice for the young father and veteran continues, with friends and family holding onto the hope that those responsible will be held accountable.
