Zuton T. Carpenter, a 34-year-old Norfolk resident, was killed by gunfire on April 20, 2017. Police responded to a gunshot disturbance shortly before 10:45 p.m. in the 800 block of Bagnall Road. Emergency crews found Carpenter with apparent gunshot wounds and he was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he died soon after arrival. Detectives classified the death as a homicide and opened an intensive investigation.

Norfolk police arrested 29-year-old Maurice A. Hyman days later in the 2700 block of McKann Avenue and charged him with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony; he was held without bond. Those charges were later dropped, and before any trial, Hyman was himself shot and killed in June 2018. With the only suspect deceased, the case’s legal resolution changed course and the community was left with unanswered questions.

If anyone knew Zuton Carpenter or has information about the April 2017 shooting, please come forward.