On Sunday afternoon, March 23, 2025, Portsmouth police responded to a call about a possible deceased male at a business in the 500 block of Cumberland Avenue and found 51-year-old Bennie Anthony Artis Jr. unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Artis was known locally for operating a car wash in the London Plaza area and for being kind; family and friends held a vigil and described him as always smiling and a pillar of the community.

Investigators identified suspects quickly. Witnesses said they drove Artis and 44-year-old Dontayous Tonard Cameron to the Cumberland Avenue suite; surveillance showed the two entering together, the vehicle leaving after waiting, and Cameron later exiting alone. A witness who had been called by the driver found Artis unresponsive and alerted police. Cameron was arrested the next day and charged with first-degree murder and multiple firearm offenses.

A few days later, 34-year-old Guy Leighton Taylor was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and related firearms offenses. Police recovered more than half a kilogram of a substance suspected to be fentanyl and packaging materials at Cameron’s residence; investigators said the quantity was not consistent with personal use. More than 20 spent cartridge casings were recovered near the victim and forensic testing is underway.

Did anyone in the community know Bennie Artis Jr. or see activity on Cumberland Avenue that afternoon?