Portsmouth police seek suspect in slaying of Suffolk man

Published 3:31 pm Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Portsmouth police have identified a suspect in a shooting that left a Suffolk man dead Sunday night and are seeking information on his whereabouts.

Jeff Barnes, 19, of the 3000 block of Downes Street, Portsmouth, is wanted on charges of murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Barnes

Portsmouth police say he shot and killed Keiontre Laquan Rodgers, also 19, of the 6200 block of Apple Street in Suffolk.

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Rodgers was found dead in the driver’s seat of a Dodge Avenger about 9:12 p.m. at the intersection of Frederick and Deep Creek boulevards.

Police learned he had been involved in an altercation at the BP station on Frederick Boulevard. The offender approached Rodgers while he was sitting in the vehicle at a gas pump and shot him, police said.

Rodgers had tried to drive away from the shooting and died while driving, then crashed into a utility pole, police said.

Anyone who has information on Barnes’ whereabouts. is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers to Crime Line never have to give their names or appear in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.