In the early morning hours of Saturday, April 29, 2017, the life of 27-year-old Joshua Kaplan was tragically cut short in Newport News, Virginia. A resident of Norfolk, the young man was discovered on the ground outside the Aqueduct Apartments on Sojourner Court, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. At the time of his death, Kaplan was actively preparing for a future as a Merchant Marine.
Originally from Norfolk, Joshua had traveled to Newport News the night before his death to
visit his girlfriend at the apartment complex where his body was later found. His family described him as a kind, caring, and hardworking individual who was the backbone of their family. He had been living with them and was dedicated to supporting them, a commitment that was underscored by his career aspirations. The news of his violent death was delivered to his mother by homicide detectives at her doorstep, a moment she would later recall with profound grief.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Newport News Police Department launched an investigation into the homicide. Despite their efforts and the public pleas from Joshua's grieving family for anyone with information to come forward, no suspects were immediately identified. The case was highlighted in local news reports, with his mother making an emotional appeal for answers. As of early 2025, online forums dedicated to unsolved cases indicate a continued lack of progress in the investigation into Joshua Kaplan's murder, with no publicly available information about any arrests or named suspects.
