On a summer afternoon in Newport News, Virginia, the life of 34-year-old Chandra Eason was tragically cut short. On August 17, 2019, officers responded to a call about a shooting in the 100 block of Ottis Street. Upon their arrival, they discovered Chandra Eason inside a car at a Circle K gas station, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses at the scene were able to provide a description of the man who had shot her and, crucially, the
license plate number of the vehicle he fled in. This information quickly led investigators to identify the suspect as Jerome Michael Uzzle, also 34, who was married to Chandra. Police located his last known address in the 5700 block of Madison Avenue and were dispatched to apprehend him.
As officers were setting up a perimeter in the area of the Cottage Grove Apartments, Uzzle emerged from a different residence and ambushed an officer and a civilian who was participating in a ride-along program. He opened fire on their patrol car, injuring both individuals inside. One of the officers, Branden Kidder, returned fire, striking Uzzle. Despite being transported to a local hospital, Jerome Uzzle succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead in the early hours of the following morning. The officer and the civilian he shot were both listed in stable condition and were expected to recover.
Subsequent investigation by the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office determined that the officer's use of deadly force against Jerome Uzzle was justified. Ballistic analysis confirmed that the firearm Uzzle used to shoot the officer and the civilian was the same weapon used to murder his wife, Chandra Eason, earlier that day.
