THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408170397
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of a 21-year-old Portsmouth man who police say shot and killed 17-year-old Laron D. Gist Sunday.
Demetris O. Bell of the 2600 block of Roanoke Ave. is wanted on charges of murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Bell was described as black, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds. He goes by the nickname of Meaty, has brown hair, brown eyes and a medium brown complexion. He also has a gold tooth.
About 10:13 p.m. Sunday, emergency personnel were called to the 1100 block of County St., where they found Gist with a gunshot wound in the chest. He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:47 p.m.
A witness told police that Gist and Bell had a disagreement over a weapon that Bell had sold him earlier in the day of the shooting.
Gist and the witness went looking for Bell in the 600 block of Elm Ave. shortly after 10 p.m. Bell saw the two approaching and allegedly pulled out a gun and fired three shots. One of the shots struck Gist in the chest, the witness said.
Bell is considered armed and dangerous by the Portsmouth police. He is known to frequent the areas of Fairwood Homes and Prentis Park in Portsmouth and Huntersville and Pughsville in Suffolk.
Anyone with information may call the Portsmouth crime line at 488-7777. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Bell
KEYWORDS: MURDER SHOOTING
by CNB