Tragic Shooting in Norfolk: 32-Year-Old Devante L. Wilson Killed on Berkley Avenue Extension as Police Search for Gunman Who Fled Scene; Heartbroken Family and Community Plead for Justice Amid Ongoing Gun Violence
Tragedy struck Norfolk on Monday evening when 32-year-old Devante L. Wilson was found with fatal gunshot wounds lying on the pavement along Berkley Avenue Extension. The call came in at approximately 7:25 p.m., summoning first responders to the scene of what would soon be declared yet another senseless act of violence that has left a family broken and a neighborhood in shock.
When officers arrived, they found Wilson barely clinging to life, his body riddled with gunshot wounds. Despite the swift arrival of medics and their desperate attempts to save him, Wilson succumbed to his injuries at the scene, leaving behind grieving family members and loved ones who are now pleading for answers.
Authorities say Wilson was shot under circumstances that remain unclear. What is known is that whoever pulled the trigger fled the scene, leaving behind a bloodstained stretch of pavement and a storm of questions. Norfolk Police detectives have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident, canvassing the area for surveillance footage, witnesses, and any leads that might help them identify the shooter.
“This was someone’s son, someone’s brother,” said one neighbor who knew the victim. “Devante wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t deserve to die like this. No one does.”
Family members describe Wilson as a hardworking man trying to get his life on track. He had recently started a new job and was striving to create a better future. His sudden death has not only devastated his immediate family but also sent ripples through the community that continues to reel from repeated acts of gun violence.
As police work around the clock, community leaders and activists are urging anyone with information to come forward. “Someone saw something. Someone knows something,” said a spokesperson from the Norfolk Police Department. “Help us bring closure to Devante’s family. Help us make our neighborhoods safer.”
The department is asking that anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity around Berkley Avenue Extension between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. Monday evening, or who has any tips related to the shooting, contact the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers can remain anonymous, and information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
Meanwhile, a memorial grows at the site where Wilson fell, with candles, flowers, and hand-scrawled notes left by loved ones and community members paying tribute to a life cut short. Vigils are being planned in the coming days, as the community joins together not only to mourn but to demand justice.
Wilson’s death marks yet another chapter in a troubling pattern of gun violence plaguing the region. His family, now left with only memories, hopes that their pain can serve as a wake-up call—and a rallying cry for change.
