In the winter of 2015 in Portsmouth, Virginia, the life of 18-year-old Omar Deangelo Booker was tragically cut short. On the evening of January 20th, the young man was diligently working his shift at Philadelphia Cold Cuts, a local sub shop on King Street where he had been a loyal employee for four years. Around 9:40 p.m., in a sudden act of violence, Booker was shot and killed while he was taking out the trash. The owner of the shop discovered him lying on the floor inside the establishment.
Booker, a senior at I.C. Norcom High School, was known for his charismatic personality and strong work ethic. He had aspirations of attending college or enlisting in the Navy, hoping to build a bright future for himself and his one-year-old son, Quinton. His untimely death sent ripples of grief through the community, prompting hundreds to gather for a vigil outside the sandwich shop to honor his memory and stand in solidarity with his grieving family.
In the immediate aftermath, the Portsmouth Police Department swiftly ruled the shooting a homicide and launched a thorough investigation. Authorities released surveillance footage that captured two individuals, believed to be men, running to and from the area around the time of the shooting. These individuals were identified as suspects in the case. Despite the circulation of the footage and heartfelt pleas from Booker's mother, Maxine Vinson, for anyone with information to come forward, the case grew cold.
Years have passed since Omar Deangelo Booker's life was taken, and the quest for justice for the young father continues. The investigation into his murder remains open, with law enforcement still hopeful that someone might recognize the individuals from the surveillance video or come forward with information that could lead to a breakthrough. To date, no arrests have been made, and the identities of the suspects responsible for his death remain unknown, leaving a painful void for his family and a community still awaiting answers.
