NORFOLK, Va. — A close-knit Norfolk neighborhood is grappling with grief after the tragic death of 56-year-old John L. Howard Sr., a longtime resident, following a shooting around 5:22 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. According to the Norfolk Police Department, responding officers in the 800-block of East Olney Road heard multiple gunshots, rushed to the scene, and found Mr. Howard suffering from critical injuries. Despite prompt medical attention and transport to a nearby hospital, he did not survive.
The incident unfolded just east of the Calvert Square neighborhood, where residents reported hearing bursts of gunfire in the early evening. Police are currently treating this as a homicide investigation. So far, no suspects have been publicly named and the motive remains under review. Investigators are meticulously examining surveillance footage, gathering forensic evidence at the scene, and interviewing witnesses in hopes of reconstructing what happened.
In the hours following the shooting, the Norfolk Police Department sent a formal alert urging anyone who may have seen something — whether it was a vehicle leaving the scene, unfamiliar activity, or even a detail that seems inconsequential — to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or via the P3 Tips mobile app. Even the smallest piece of information, police stress, could crack the case open and bring answers to Mr. Howard’s family.
The department also reminded residents of its Connect Norfolk initiative, which encourages homeowners and businesses to register their existing security camera systems. Such footage has proven vital in past investigations, and detectives hope it will play a role here as well. In a quiet neighborhood like this, every exterior camera can serve as a critical vantage point for what happened and who may have been involved.
At the same time, city officials extended deep condolences to Mr. Howard’s loved ones and acknowledged the broader impact of violent incidents such as this on the community’s collective feeling of safety and trust. They reiterated their commitment to working with law enforcement and citizens alike to prevent future tragedies. Such incidents not only involve the immediate victim but send ripples through neighbors, friends, and families who thought their streets were safe.
As investigators labor through phone calls, footage reviews and forensic traces, they emphasize that the case remains very much active. Police encourage anyone who might have been in the area during that time — even if they did not see a gun or a suspect — to reflect whether they noticed something unusual and report it. It could be a vehicle with lights off, a door open, someone asking odd questions, or anything else out of place. One small observation may help rebuild the moments leading up to the shooting.
For neighbors in the Calvert Square and East Olney corridors, the event is a stark reminder that violence can invade quiet streets. Some are weighing security upgrades, sharing safety tips, and reaching out to one another for reassurance. While forensic boots remain on the ground and patrols may increase, many residents say what they crave most is transparency — an update from authorities when available — and a sense of closure for a family now navigating loss in the spotlight. The community, a neighborhood that prides itself on connection, is standing ready to support the search for answers and healing in the weeks ahead.
