News Summary
Derrick Monte Ellis Jr., 25, has been charged following a police chase and shootout related to a carjacking in Newport News. The incident involved a stolen vehicle, gunfire directed at police, and a troubling history of violence. Ellis faces several serious charges, including robbery and firearm possession, while discussions about community safety intensify in the area.
Newport News – Derrick Monte Ellis Jr., a 25-year-old man from Newport News, has been charged following a police chase and a subsequent shootout related to a carjacking incident on Sunday evening. The event unfolded around 9:15 p.m. after officers responded to reports of a stolen vehicle that had been involved in a robbery earlier in the day.
Law enforcement located the stolen vehicle near Oyster Point Boulevard and Nettles Drive and began to monitor its movements with an unmarked police unit. As the vehicle came to a stop in the 12900 block of Nettles Drive, two occupants exited and fired upon the police vehicle, resulting in damage to both the police unit and a nearby home. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries due to the altercation.
Ellis is facing multiple serious charges, which include two counts of robbery, grand larceny, abduction, three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a felon. These charges stem from an incident in which he allegedly threatened his cousin with a gun. Ellis is accused of demanding that his cousin transfer $600 to his Cash App account under duress, further complicating his legal standing.
He was arraigned on Tuesday and was released on a secured bond of $90,000, stemming from a previous shooting charge he faced from June 2023. In that earlier incident, the authorities identified Ellis as the shooter in a situation where he wounded a man at a local restaurant and also allegedly fired shots at witnesses in the vicinity.
Following his release, Ellis’s legal troubles are far from over. Despite being on active felony probation, which began in 2021, he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September regarding the new charges. There is a significant concern about his repeated involvement in violent incidents, particularly given his extensive legal history.
Previous legal issues include charges linking him to a 2022 shooting incident where he was reportedly seen firing a handgun. However, he was not indicted by the grand jury for that specific case, which raises questions about how legal processes are handling repeated offenses in this situation.
The recent events have sparked discussions about community safety and the effectiveness of legal actions taken against offenders with a history of violence. Local authorities are focused on addressing such issues, especially as gun violence remains a prominent concern in many neighborhoods.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the community and authorities alike are urged to remain vigilant and proactive in preventing further incidents of violence. The implications of Ellis’s actions extend beyond himself, affecting families, neighborhoods, and the overall safety of the Newport News area.
Law enforcement and community leaders continue to work together to formulate strategies aimed at reducing crime and promoting a safer environment for all residents. Meanwhile, residents are wrestling with the impact of such events on their sense of security and the persistent threat of crime in their communities.
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: Man arrested in connection with shooting that left Newport News police vehicle damaged
- Wikipedia: Newport News, Virginia
- 13 News Now: Newport News man who shot at police was out on bond for June shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Newport News
- WAVY: Shooting investigation underway on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News
- Google News: Newport News shooting
- 13 News Now: Fatal Newport News shooting, second arrest
- Google Search: shooting Newport News Virginia
- Pilot Online: Shootings, killings continue downward trend in Newport News
- Google Scholar: Newport News shooting
- WTKR: Man dead after shooting on Poplar Avenue in Newport News
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
