NORFOLK, Va. — Authorities have identified the young man killed in a Monday evening shooting that also left a teenager injured near Luther W. Machen Elementary School. The victim, 19-year-old Kyree Staton of Norfolk, was pronounced dead at the scene, police confirmed Tuesday.
Officers were dispatched shortly after 7:30 p.m. to the initial block of Sacramento Drive, off North Armistead Avenue, where they found two individuals suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Staton was declared deceased on-site, while the second victim, a 17-year-old male, was rushed to a nearby hospital. Police said the teenager remains in stable condition as of Tuesday morning.
Investigators have since determined that Staton and the younger victim knew each other and had arranged to meet in the area shortly before the gunfire erupted. According to a police release, the circumstances surrounding their meeting suggested “possible narcotics-related overtones.” What began as a confrontation escalated quickly into an exchange of gunfire, though authorities have not disclosed who fired first or whether any additional individuals were involved.
The shooting has left the neighborhood shaken, particularly given its proximity to an elementary school. Although the incident occurred outside of school hours, parents expressed concern about rising violence in the area. “It’s terrifying to think something like this can happen so close to where our kids learn and play,” one local resident said.
At this time, no arrests have been announced, and police are continuing their investigation into the events that led up to the deadly exchange. Detectives are working to establish a clearer timeline and confirm whether the shooting was directly tied to narcotics activity, as early reports suggest. Authorities have also not released the identity of the 17-year-old due to his age.
Norfolk Police are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the department directly or anonymously through the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. As the investigation unfolds, officials emphasized the importance of community cooperation in addressing gun violence and preventing further tragedies.