On the evening of April 8, 2020, Curtis Walton, a 33-year-old male, was tragically killed in a shooting near the 3600 block of Columbia Street in Portsmouth, Virginia. The incident occurred near his childhood home. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene around 8:37 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, medics found Walton with injuries to his torso and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
According to reports and video footage of
the incident, Walton was walking down the street when he was approached by two individuals. A vehicle then pulled up alongside him, and as he attempted to flee, he was shot. Neighbors reported hearing at least three gunshots and some rushed to his aid before paramedics arrived.
The case remains largely unsolved, though investigators have made some progress. In the course of their investigation, police identified two vehicles of interest: a black four-door sedan and a maroon four-door sedan with tinted windows and a dent on the passenger side. The stolen car that the two suspects were in was recovered a couple of days after the murder. In January 2023, a person of interest was named in the case: Drye'Antae L. Smith, who was 18 years old at the time. However, no arrests have been announced, and the Portsmouth Police Department continues to seek information from the public to help solve the case.
Curtis Walton was a respected attorney and a graduate of Liberty University School of Law. He was known for his dedication to community service, volunteering with organizations such as Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army. In his memory, a non-profit organization called Curtis Walton Empowers has been established to help others achieve their dreams. In recognition of his life and tragic death, April 8th has been declared 'Curtis Walton Love Through Kindness Day' in Virginia.
