On August 29, at 3:59 am police were dispatched to the 100 block of Mytilene Drive in reference to gunshots fired. Upon arrival, officers checked the interior of a residence and located a female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene and was identified as 20-year-old Breonna T. Patterson of Newport News.
After an extensive investigation and community assistance, officers identified a suspect, known to the victim, and a potential location. Because the suspect was known to be armed and dangerous the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) was deployed to the 5000th block of Potomac Avenue in Newport News.
After more than seven hours of surveillance and negotiations, the suspect surrendered without incident. Twenty-five year old, Markeis Lamar Parks, a Newport News man, was arrested and charged with: murder: 1st degree; firearm: possession by felon; firearm: use in commission of felony, obstruction justice: w/o threats/force; law enforcement command: disregard or elude, endanger; seat belt req. front seat. A booking photo is attached.
“This timely arrest is evidence of our renewed commitment to reduce violent crime in the City of Newport News,” said Chief of Police, Steve Drew. “Detectives, officers, and citizens worked tirelessly to bring justice to the victim and her family and to take an extremely dangerous criminal off the streets.”
This incident also falls on the heels of another recent arrest regarding a 2017 homicide. On May 29th, 2017, Newport News Communications received a call of a code blue in the 400 block of Cox Landing. The victim was identified as 19-year-old Denzel Marquise Labiche of the 400 block of Cox Landing in Newport News. Through the course of the investigation, indictments were issued on 21 year old Shannon Hodges who had fled to another state. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, on September 1, 2018, Shannon Hodges was extradited from Hawaii and charged with: murder: 2nd degree; abduction by force, unlawfully discharging a firearm into an occupied building; and firearm: use in the commission of a felony.
“At the Newport News Police Department, we understand the importance of not only making timely arrests, but the importance of solving older cases and bringing those accountable to justice and bringing closure to the families involved,” added Drew.