HAMPTON, Va. – A recent surge of gun violence in Hampton Roads has left the community in mourning, with the most recent tragedy resulting in the death of 17-year-old Vic’Quan Destin-Thazir Newton. The teenager’s family is now calling for an end to the violence that has claimed the lives of several young victims in the area over the past few days.
Vic’Quan, a student-athlete at Hampton High School, was described by his family as a bright and promising young man with a passion for football and aspirations to study business. His mother, Viccarra Coker, who resides in South Carolina, was devastated by the news of her son’s tragic death, especially since it was not the first time she had received such a heartbreaking phone call. Her daughter, Tiasia Newton, had also lost her life in a train crash in 2021.
Despite facing immense adversity, Vic’Quan had managed to excel in both academics and extracurricular activities. His impressive GPA had earned him multiple college acceptance letters, and he had already established his own clothing brand, “Versifyclothing.”
The fatal shooting took place in a townhome/apartment complex on Michigan Drive, where Vic’Quan was shot on Monday night. As the family seeks justice for his untimely death, they have teamed up with a national civil rights organization called True Healing Under God to support their quest for answers.
The community has come together to show support for Vic’Quan’s family, with an outpouring of condolences from classmates, teachers, teammates, and coaching staff. The family is also urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist the authorities in their investigation.
The loss of Vic’Quan has once again brought attention to the rising tide of gun violence affecting young people in Hampton Roads, prompting calls for action to put an end to the senseless loss of life. Authorities have yet to provide any updates on the investigation, but community members are encouraged to report any relevant information to the Hampton police.