THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996 TAG: 9610300405
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: 77 lines
Eighteen-year-old Phillip Bell's life was cut short Sunday at a point when family members and friends say he had begun to focus on career goals.
Bell, who lived in the London Oaks apartment complex in the Mount Hermon neighborhood, was gunned down at about 5:40 p.m. near the intersection of Broad Street and London Boulevard, not far from his home.
On Tuesday, Henry Bell Jr., Phillip's father, expressed his anger at such a senseless act.
``My son was not someone who caused trouble or who didn't have dreams or goals,'' he said.
``He was an aspiring architect. He had plans to attend Hampton University after serving in the Army.
``. . . Sometimes, I had to get on him about doing his homework, and reading. But this year he was doing better. He promised to make me proud.''
The incident is still under investigation.
After initially reporting that the suspect was a black male, police said Tuesday that a previous report had some incorrect information.
The suspect is a white male between 35- and 40-years-old, a spokeswoman said. He had on a plaid, flannel shirt at the time; and he left the scene in a pickup truck, she said.
Henry Bell said his son, one of five children, was scheduled to begin a three-year Army stint in July.
A school guidance counselor said the Churchland High School junior also had begun to look for part-time work to fulfill part of a requirement for a marketing program offered by the school district.
The incident was only the latest tragedy for the school.
This past spring, two Churchland High students, both 17-year-old males, also died violently.
Teacher Lucy Lassiter is now helping students plan a memorial for classmates who have died since the school opened nearly five years ago.
Counselors with the district and local community groups, as well as other professionals, were at the school Monday to help grieving students cope with the tragedy.
Bell was known for his handsome smile, artistic talents and pleasant disposition.
``I would say he was extremely well thought of by the students. It caught everybody by surprise,'' Principal Raymond Hale said.
Before the shooting, Bell and several friends reportedly had been playing football in a park Sunday afternoon in the neighboring Port Norfolk area.
After they left the park, they were walking along the 1000 block of Broad Street - toward the intersection of Broad and London Boulevard - when a pickup truck drove by the group.
Exactly what happened next is still unclear.
Police said Bell and the driver exchanged words before the driver allegedly began to fire at the group.
Police didn't provide many other details Tuesday.
But Bell's father said he doesn't believe his son argued with the suspect, especially since he said Phillip would tell younger siblings that it was always best to walk away from folks these days.
Anyone might pull out a gun, he'd say.
Henry Bell said his son's friends told him that the suspect drove close to the young men as he passed them along a part of the street that doesn't have a sidewalk.
He said one of the youngsters reportedly yelled out, saying the truck had almost hit them.
The driver reportedly heard the remark and allegedly got out of his truck to confront the group with a gun, Henry Bell said his son's friends told him.
Bell was shot and died later Sunday at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
Funeral arrangements are still incomplete.
Jameka Myrick, a 17-year-old Churchland High senior and Phillip's girlfriend, says she can't believe he's gone.
``He was a person that always tried to bring your spirits up when you were down,'' she said. ``He was a friendly person. . . . Why'd they have to take him?'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Phillip Bell
KEYWORDS: SHOOTING MURDER by CNB