UPDATE 02/16/16: Police have positively identified and obtained warrants for the second suspect in the ongoing investigation of the double homicide and officer involved shooting of January 14, 2016. Newport News police are asking the public’s help in locating 26 year old Stephen Lorenzo Hayes of the 1000 block of 43rd Street in Newport News. Warrants are on file for 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 3 counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and 3 counts of attempt robbery. The whereabouts of Mr. Hayes are unknown. He is 6 foot tall, 165 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair. He should be considered dangerous.
If you can aid this investigation and help police locate Stephen Hayes contact the Newport News Police Department at 247-2500 or the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. If your call is of an emergency nature dial 911.
On Thursday, January 14, 2016, just after 11 a.m., Communications received a call of an accident near 14th Street and Wickham Ave. As the officer was en route, the call was upgraded to a subject with a gun and then to a shooting. When officers arrived they located two adult male subjects in a silver van, who had been shot. The van had struck a parked vehicle near 14th Street and Wickham Ave. The two men were pronounced deceased at the scene. Once the victim’s next of kin have been notified, their identities will be released.
A witness pointed out a possible suspect that was fleeing from the scene. A short time later in the 1300 block of Roanoke Avenue an officer and Sergeant came in contact with someone matching the description of the possible suspect. During the encounter with the armed suspect, both the officer and Sergeant discharged their firearms. Two handguns were recovered from the scene. The suspect was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and shoulder. His injuries are non-life threatening. The officer and Sergeant were not injured.
According to the investigation and witness information, a second suspect fled the accident scene. A possible description of the second suspect is a black male wearing a blue jacket. Detectives are currently working to identify this suspect and the search for him is ongoing.
During the incident, four schools were on lockdown: Achievable Dream, Magruder Elementary, John Marshall Elementary and the Head Start Program at Ridley Circle and 16th Street. The school lockdown was lifted shortly before 1 p.m.
Both the officer and Sergeant were wearing body cameras. However at this time, the video is not being released due to the ongoing double homicide investigation.
As with all officer-involved shootings, there will be two separate investigations, a criminal investigation by the Department’s Homicide Unit and an internal investigation by Professional Standards. The officer and Sergeant have been placed on administrative leave with pay.