At 4:50 p.m. on Sunday, Portsmouth Police were altered to a call concerning gunshots in the 1900 block of Kendall. According to initial reports, 4 gunshots were heard and then the shooter took off on foot.
Multiple officers descended on the scene. They noted that over 20 people were outside all saying they heard the gunfire but had nothing more to say. A few minutes later, an officer identified a female victim who stated the gunman fired at her feet. She stated that he took off on foot towards Linden Ave. She also noted that he may have gotten into a waiting vehicle on 17th Street.
As officers searched the hillsides, they made sure to announce their locations so that they wouldn’t be inadvertently confronted.
They searched a homeless encampment, asked many questions, and ran identifications.
A medic was not dispatched, meaning no physical injuries were sustained by the victim.
A K9 was placed on alert for response. In spite of this, the officers were unable to locate a potential escape route for the K9 to search.
The suspect was identified as Damar Arnold.
His street name is said to be “C4.” Arnold has a lengthy arrest record for drug trafficking, weapons, and violence.
At this time, Arnold remains at large.
Updates
The police were contacted just before 7 p.m. that the suspect had returned to the area. A 911 transfer from the county said shots were fired again in Wayne Hills less than a minute later.
One police officer reported finding a bullet hole in a vehicle, but Arnold had seemingly disappeared again.
Police began the task of questioning potential witnesses to the 2nd incident.
According to reports, Arnold is believed to still be in the area on foot.
In order to continue the aggressive manhunt, Portsmouth asked Shawnee State Police and New Boston Police for mutual aid on pending calls for service.
SCDN will continue to follow this developing story and will provide updates as they are made available.
