5 Teens Charged in Portsmouth Killing

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Portsmouth police have announced that five children, all between the ages of 15 and 16, have been charged with aggravated murder and other crimes in connection with the shooting death of another child in late December. The shooting occurred on December 22 in the 1500 block of Atlanta Avenue, and the victim was taken to a local hospital but later died. Investigators took the five juveniles into custody over the following month, between December 24 and January 15.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenges of youth violence and gun crime in some communities. It raises questions about what can be done to prevent such tragedies and support at-risk youth before they turn to violence.

The details

According to the police, the five juveniles, whose names have not been released, have been charged with aggravated murder and six counts of robbery, as well as other gun-related charges. The shooting occurred around 3:20 pm on December 22 in the 1500 block of Atlanta Avenue, where officers found a boy who had been shot. He was taken to a local hospital but later died.

• The shooting occurred around 3:20 pm on December 22, 2025.
• The five juveniles were taken into custody between December 24, 2025 and January 15, 2026.

What’s next

The judge will determine whether the five juveniles will be tried as adults or in the juvenile justice system.