In the early morning hours of January 8, 2023, 29-year-old Javonte Martin of Portsmouth, Virginia, was shot in the 2900 block of Elm Avenue and died at the scene shortly before 3:45 a.m. Portsmouth Police found Martin with gunshot wounds; he was later pronounced dead at the location. A viewing for Martin was held on January 18, 2023.

The Portsmouth Police Department opened a homicide investigation and described it as ongoing. Officials did not release a suspect, motive, or names of persons of interest, and as of the last report no arrests had been announced. Police asked the public to contact the department or Crime Line with any information that might lead to an arrest.

If anyone has information about what happened on Elm Avenue that morning or saw activity in the area before 3:45 a.m., please contact the Portsmouth Police Department or Crime Line.