William Watkins was 35 when he was shot to death in the pre-dawn hours of August 1, 2015, in Chesapeake, Virginia. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found him in the yard of a home in the 600 block of Crystal Avenue, suffering multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Watkins was a native of Portsmouth.

The Chesapeake Police Department opened a homicide investigation, canvassed the neighborhood, and asked the public for help, but early details were limited and no suspects were publicly identified. No arrests have been announced and the case has since been classified as cold. The investigation remains open as detectives continue to seek information that could lead to a resolution.

If anyone has information about Watkins, the shooting, or was in the Berkley Avenue and Crystal Avenue area that morning, please contact Chesapeake police with any details.