Police still investigating teen’s shooting death inside Hampton home
HAMPTON — Police have identified the teenager who was killed at a gathering inside a home earlier this month as 18-year-old Edward Jamur Neal Jr. of Hampton.
The Hampton High School student was with several others at the house on Bethel Avenue on March 5 when he was shot to death around 10:45 p.m. Though Hampton Police have termed the death a homicide, investigators have not determined whether the shooting was intended or accidental.
“The cause of death is gunshot wound of the neck and torso,” Arkuie Williams of the State Medical Examiner’s Office said Friday. “The manner of death is pending.”
An initial 911 call reported that someone had been stabbed, but a second call came in moments later saying he had actually been shot. When police arrived at the home in the 1000 block of Bethel Avenue, off of North King Street, Neal was on the ground in a side yard.
“There were two unknown subjects providing first aid to the victim,” a search warrant affidavit said. “The victim was unresponsive, and officers began life saving measures.”
Hampton medics took Neal to the Hampton Sentara CarePlex, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police said in a search warrant affidavit that a witness said she was in the same room as Neal when she “heard a shot.” The statement didn’t elaborate on how many others were in the room and what she saw immediately after the shot. The wounded Neal then stumbled outside, where he collapsed near a car.
Police found a cartridge casing on a couch cushion, under a green jacket.
The case is still under investigation, and no arrests have been made.
Neal lived on Miller Drive in Hampton, and attended Hampton High School, his mother said.
A viewing and funeral service was held Friday at the Restoration and Faith Ministry on Wickham Avenue in Newport News.
Anyone with information about Neal’s death is asked to call Hampton police at 757–727–6111 or the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP. People also can send anonymous tips at P3Tips.com. Crime Line callers don’t have to appear in court and could be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.