In the autumn of 2019, the life of a 54-year-old Black / African American man named Kelvin Smith was tragically cut short in Newport News, Virginia. On the evening of Tuesday, October 15, police responded to a call about a person lying in a parking lot in the 7400 block of Madison Avenue. Upon their arrival at approximately 7:35 p.m., officers discovered Smith suffering from a gunshot wound.
Initially, first responders at the scene believed his injuries were not life-threatening.
Smith was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. However, upon further examination at the hospital, the true severity of his condition was revealed. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Kelvin Smith succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
The Newport News Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into Smith's death. In the initial stages of the investigation, authorities did not release any information about a potential suspect or suspects, and no arrests were made in connection with the shooting. The circumstances leading up to the discovery of Smith in the parking lot remained unclear to the public.
As time has passed, Kelvin Smith's case has remained an open and unsolved homicide. The community and his family have been left without answers or a sense of justice. In an effort to address cases like this, the Newport News Police Department has since established a cold case unit dedicated to re-examining unsolved murders. The hope is that with fresh eyes and advancements in investigative techniques, a breakthrough might one day be made, finally bringing closure to the loved ones of Kelvin Smith and holding those responsible for his untimely death accountable. The investigation into his murder is ongoing.
