A series of loud bangs rattled Portsmouth neighborhoods, prompting multiple 911 calls and a police search that left more questions than answers.
Just before 5 p.m., a resident on 19th Street reported hearing three loud explosions within minutes of each other. When officers arrived, they found no signs of an explosion. A woman walking nearby told police she believed the sounds were gunshots because she “could smell it,” while a child in an alley said they saw fireworks.
Roughly 30 minutes later, another caller from Center Street reported a more alarming scene: a man firing a gun twice in an alley, followed by a woman yelling, “I didn’t do it,” and then another shot.
Officers believe the two incidents may be connected, but despite canvassing the area, they were unable to locate any suspects or evidence of a shooting.
The Bigger Picture
Police say calls like these highlight the difficulty of distinguishing between fireworks, gunfire, and other loud noises, especially in densely packed neighborhoods. Still, every report must be investigated as though it is real, since ignoring potential gunfire could cost lives.
Authorities encourage residents to continue calling 911 when they hear suspicious explosions or gunshots. Even when evidence isn’t found, each call provides valuable information about potential hotspots and helps police track patterns of activity.
