DATE: Saturday, November 29, 1997           TAG: 9711290205

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   61 lines

TEEN KILLED, 3 PEOPLE INJURED IN ATTACK POLICE SUSPECT ROBBERY; DRUGS MAY BE INVOLVED

A 19-year-old man was killed, and his girlfriend, their infant daughter and the woman's brother were injured Friday when armed intruders attacked them in a townhome on Gates Landing Road, authorities said.

Although the motive for the assault wasn't clear Friday, investigators said the attack had the earmarks of a home-invasion robbery. Police also said it appears that at least one of the victims knew at least one of the attackers.

Police identified the victims as:

Nathaniel Brown Jr., 19, of the 5500 block of Gates Landing Road. He died Friday afternoon at Virginia Beach General Hospital from bullet wounds to the stomach and stab wounds in his upper body.

Mishelene Minott, 20, also of the 5500 block of Gates Landing Road. She was treated at Virginia Beach General for a gunshot wound to her right arm and was released.

Ashanti Brown, the 5-month-old daughter of Brown and Minott. She was treated at Virginia Beach General for cuts on her head and arms and was released.

Ricardo Minott, 16, of Granite Trail, who was listed in very serious condition at a hospital. He was shot in the head and groin, and was the most gravely hurt of the survivors, rescue workers said.

The midday attack occurred at a townhouse not far from Fairfield Elementary School on Providence Road.

When police and rescue crews arrived at the row of brick townhouses, the crime scene was frantic and confusing. They found Ricardo Minott collapsed on the front steps of one home, bleeding from his head and groin. Mishelene Minott was screaming for help, standing near the boy.

Inside a neighboring townhouse, rescue crews spotted Nathaniel Brown Jr.

A neighbor who was not involved in the attack ended up with Ashanti Brown, the 5-month-old baby girl. One area resident said the wounded woman handed the baby to the neighbor to protect her.

Police spokesman Mike Carey said one of the victims described the assailants as three black men, one of them a heavy, 23-year-old man with short hair. The victim said the getaway car was a white Mercedes with polished chrome wheel rims. Carey said police were given a name that could identify one of the possible attackers, but he declined to elaborate.

Authorities said they were leaning toward robbery as a motive, possibly involving drugs. They noted that the inexpensive townhome had an alarm system and what looked like a fortified front door. Adjoining townhomes didn't have such features.

And throughout the afternoon, the detectives watched several expensive luxury and sports cars driven by young men motor into the neighborhood, then make U-turns when they saw the police. They said that often indicates drug involvement.

Police said they believe all the victims were in one townhouse when they were attacked. The boy and the woman ran outside after the assailants left. A neighbor who found the wounded boy called police.

Detectives are asking that anyone with information about this case call Crime Solvers at 427-0000. Callers can remain anonymous and don't have to testify in court. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information. ILLUSTRATION: VP Map KEYWORDS: ROBBERY MURDER INJURIES

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