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Case Description
Any updates on this case?
William L. Chapman II, an 18-year-old African American, was fatally shot on April 22, 2015, in Portsmouth, Virginia. The incident occurred in a Wal-Mart parking lot when Portsmouth Police Officer Stephen D. Rankin responded to a report of suspected shoplifting. According to reports, a physical struggle ensued between Chapman and Rankin. Witnesses stated that Chapman initially broke free but then stepped back towards Rankin, who subsequently shot him twice, once in the face and once in the chest. ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (2)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
William L. Chapman II
Male
Black / African American
Portsmouth
VA
2015-04-22
18
William
Chapman II
11/07/2025
Forum Posts (3)
I came across a poignant detail in William Chapman II's case that hasn't been highlighted much. It w... ...Read More
12/06/2024
12/06/2024
I've been thinking about the role of witness testimony in William Chapman’s case and how conflicti... ...Read More
10/28/2024
10/28/2024
Officer Rankin's use of force in the William Chapman case is really hard to come to terms with. Just... ...Read More
02/01/2023
02/01/2023
