In the early hours of Sunday, October 22, 2023, gunfire in the 7700 block of Vernon Place in Newport News left 45-year-old Damon Alexander dead and another man wounded. Police arrived shortly after 5:30 a.m.; both shooting victims were taken to a local hospital, and Alexander later succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities quickly identified a suspect and, with help from the James City County Police Department, arrested 35-year-old Jerry Sanders-Carlisle later that same day. A firearm was recovered during the arrest. Sanders-Carlisle was charged in Newport News with first-degree murder, two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, malicious wounding, discharging a firearm in public, and reckless handling of a firearm. The motive and the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting have not been publicly detailed.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about what happened on Vernon Place that morning, please come forward to assist the investigation.