I am so proud of the witness that was willing to testify to what she saw. I know in cases like these it is very scary and can be dangerous to do so.

Amir Mohammed Dermoumi was 18 when he was killed by gunfire in Portsmouth, Virginia, on the evening of January 15, 2017. He was a passenger near Truxton Avenue and Portsmouth Boulevard when shots were fired into the vehicle; he was struck in the upper body and pronounced dead at the scene after the driver crashed into parked cars while trying to flee. Another person in the car was injured.

Portsmouth police arrested a 17-year-old, Shawn Griffin, on murder and related gun charges. At a preliminary hearing a teenage female witness said she saw the shooting from her car after leaving a party and identified Griffin from his Facebook profile and a distinctive jacket. Prosecutors later asked a judge to dismiss all charges against Griffin, while leaving open the possibility of refiling; he remained in custody on an unrelated probation violation.

Amir was a student at Regent University and remembered by his family as hardworking and dedicated. If anyone saw the scene that night or has information about the shooting, please come forward.