Keontre Thornhill Obituary, Family to hold vigil for 10-year-old son killed in Portsmouth
Keontre Thornhill Obituary – The family members of the 10-year-old boy who was tragically shot and killed in Portsmouth are urging the community to come together for a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening. The vigil, which will honor Keontre Thornhill, will take place at 5 p.m. on Farragut Street, as confirmed by his mother, Kevina Thornhill.
Expressing her grief, Kevina Thornhill pleaded, “Please, I am in desperate need of love as I am suffering deeply.” According to Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins, Keontre was an “innocent bystander” who was struck by a stray bullet fired outside his home on Farragut Street on Friday evening. The police responded promptly and attempted life-saving measures at the scene, but unfortunately, Keontre succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital.
Chief Jenkins stated, “This tragedy occurred as a result of a dispute between teenage girls that escalated into an irreversibly violent situation.” The Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) has announced the arrest of Shawnday Nakisha Ross, 31, on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. However, they are still searching for Cleon Banks, 26, who is considered a person of interest and is believed to be armed and dangerous.
“As the Chief of Police, I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to apprehend all those responsible for the loss of this young life and ensure that they face justice in court,” Jenkins emphasized in a statement.
Both Chief Jenkins and Mayor Shannon Glover expressed their condolences to the boy’s family and voiced their concerns about youth violence in the city. “Violence is never acceptable in the city of Portsmouth, at any time. We care about you, and we implore you to put down your weapons and find alternative ways to resolve any conflicts you may have,” Glover urged during an interview with 13News Now.
