On a late Monday evening in Norfolk, Virginia, the life of 38-year-old Deatrice D. Lawrence was tragically cut short. On May 25, 2020, at approximately 10:35 p.m., police were called to the 1000 block of Dubose Drive, where they discovered a chaotic scene with multiple gunshot victims.
Deatrice, along with another woman and a man, had been shot. Emergency services arrived swiftly and transported all three individuals to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Deatrice had sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound and, despite the efforts of medical staff, she succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The other two victims, a man and a woman, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and were expected to recover.
Known to her loved ones by the affectionate nicknames “Dirl Dirl” and “Thookie,” Deatrice was described as a beautiful, caring, and loyal person with a humorous and animated personality. She was a mother to four children, a son and three daughters, who were the center of her world. Her smile was said to bring joy to everyone's heart, and her presence could light up any room. She was the youngest of her siblings, with two brothers and five sisters.
In the wake of the shooting, Norfolk detectives began an investigation into the incident. However, at the time of the initial reports, law enforcement had not released any information regarding a possible motive for the shooting or details about any potential suspects. The investigation was ongoing, and authorities appealed to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest.
