A holiday gathering in Portsmouth, Virginia, ended in a fatal shooting that took the life of 34-year-old Johnnie Cleveland Gore Freeman. Known as JC, he was a father of four daughters and worked as a handyman. On the evening of December 25, 2022, Freeman attended a Christmas party at the home of Ra’Mya Stewart. An altercation inside the residence reportedly involved Freeman, Stewart, and a relative. After the dispute, Freeman went outside and was standing with his girlfriend when Stewart, from the porch, fired a gun and struck him in the head.

Emergency medical personnel responded to Allard Road, but Freeman was pronounced dead shortly before 11:15 p.m. Stewart later turned herself in and was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and shooting in the commission of a felony. The case raises questions about what sparked the altercation inside the house and what led to the gunfire on the porch.

If anyone has information about that night or knew Johnnie Freeman, please come forward.