In the early morning hours of a Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia, the life of Derrick T. Horton, a 29-year-old man, was tragically cut short. On July 26, 2020, dispatchers received a call about a gunshot victim around 6 a.m. in the 2800 block of Earlscourt Avenue. When police arrived at the scene, they found Horton inside his car, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Derrick, who was born in Norfolk and had attended Norfolk Public Schools, was a father to three sons. He was remembered by his family as a great father and a beloved son who was very family-oriented. His mother recalled the devastating phone call she received that morning while she was in North Carolina visiting one of her grandsons for his birthday. The news of her son being killed and left in his car on the side of the road was a heartbreaking blow.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Norfolk police began their investigation into the homicide. Detectives sought information from the public, urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward. At the time, authorities did not release any information about a potential suspect or the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.
Years have passed since Derrick Horton's death, and for his family, the pain is still raw, compounded by the lack of resolution in his case. According to his mother, nearly two years after his death, his murder remained unsolved. The investigation into who is responsible for his death continues, leaving his loved ones waiting for justice.
