THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 6, 1995 TAG: 9503060044
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Police arrested a 12-year-old boy this weekend and charged him with shooting and killing a man during an attempted robbery early Saturday morning.
The youth may have been one of several who accosted Erik L. Winslow, 27, when he returned home from a movie near his apartment complex on Warwick Boulevard in Denbigh, police believe. Winslow's body was found in the Potters Field Historical Site, a restored cemetery next to the Autumn Lakes Apartments, where he lived with a roommate.
Police would not say whether any other arrests were expected Sunday night, but they said the investigation is continuing.
``I can confirm they are looking at some other people,'' said Patricia L. Mahaffy, a police spokeswoman.
The youth, who police say turned 13 on Sunday, was not identified because of his age. He has been charged with murder, attempted robbery and a firearms violation, Mahaffy said.
The boy was arrested Saturday night at police headquarters downtown, she said.
On Sunday, members of Winslow's family said police had indicated that they are considering as possible accomplices several youths who live in or near the apartment complex. The apartments are in the 14700 block of Warwick Boulevard.
``They told us other arrests are pending,'' said Florence Pearson, Winslow's mother.
Pearson and other members of Winslow's family vented outrage Sunday at the youths' families and the justice system that allows some youths to literally get away with murder.
``They can't let these kids get away with it,'' said Pearson. ``They need to make an example.''
Pearson said she would not be surprised if the 13-year-old, if convicted, ``gets put in detention and then set free on his 21st birthday.''
Pearson's stepfather said the youths' parents should be charged as well.
``Somehow I think there should be some kind of law that would make parents responsible for the actions of their kids,'' said the stepfather, Ethelridge Pearson. ``There is no way a 12-year-old should be out that late at night.''
Pearson said his stepson had been threatened at least once by some youths living near his apartment. Winslow, he said, was considering moving soon because he considered the location to be too dangerous.
Winslow, an Army veteran who served in Korea and was discharged on a disability in 1993, had been working at Ball Metal Container north of Newport News. He had graduated from Phoebus High School. His family said he was preparing to attend an apprentice school soon and had just received his disability check.
Hampton police officer Curtis Cooper, a friend of Winslow's, said Winslow was a straight arrow who grew up in Hampton with many people who went on to become officers in the Hampton Police Department.
``Erik would never be around anybody who was doing anything illegal,'' Cooper said. ``Erik was an outstanding person.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Erik L. Winslow
KEYWORDS: JUVENILE CRIMINAL MURDER SHOOTING by CNB