VA - Justin Eberhart, 38, Portsmouth, 19 Oct 2008

[STEADFAST]

I'm here in Portsmouth and heard about Justin on the news. The way it was reported by the media it sounded as if Justin had the gun and the other man was struggling to take it away from him when it went off. Or at least that's the way I understood it.

I really wish some of the neighbors had been witness to let LE know what really did happen.

I'm so sorry for Justin, his family and his friends. If you let me know just what it is that you want to try and do maybe I can help. I'm not such a good leader but a great follower.

Here's a neighbor's statement to the news:
“They carried one of the boxes you carry a rifle in and a rifle in the other hand, but they didn't go in with one,” said Tom Griffiths, a neighbor.
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_102008_ptown_argument_shooting.12ecf7c57.html

That makes it sound like the friends brought the gun, although I can't quite understand the statement.

 

[angelwngs]

Here's a neighbor's statement to the news:
“They carried one of the boxes you carry a rifle in and a rifle in the other hand, but they didn't go in with one,” said Tom Griffiths, a neighbor.
http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_102008_ptown_argument_shooting.12ecf7c57.html

That makes it sound like the friends brought the gun, although I can't quite understand the statement.

THANK YOU, Steadfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is exactly the type of information the family needs to know. They are being told NOTHING by LE...and have no time in planning funeral to research online media outlets...

Thank you so much! I will call Justin's dad and mom and let them know this.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Police were on the scene for several hours.

“They carried one of the boxes you carry a rifle in and a rifle in the other hand, but they didn't go in with one,” said Tom Griffiths, a neighbor.

http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_102008_ptown_argument_shooting.12ecf7c57.html

From what I can decifer, sounds like the police confiscated a rifle from the home during their search after the shooting. Do we know what kind of weapon he was shot with?

 

[SeriouslySearching]

THANK YOU, Steadfast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is exactly the type of information the family needs to know. They are being told NOTHING by LE...and have no time in planning funeral to research online media outlets...

Thank you so much! I will call Justin's dad and mom and let them know this.

I would caution you as to how much you report back to them when we are still just trying to get tid bits of information. I would hate for you to mislead them in any way accidently. It would only make it harder for them.

 

[angelwngs]

Just got off the phone with Justin's dad. He has contacted every media source in Pourtsmouth and voiced his concerns about the investigation into Justin's death. Apparently the Portsmouth PD is already under ivestigation in another case.

Justin was killed with the gun the other male brought to Justin's home.
The rifle taken from Justin's home and it's gun carrying case is Justin's hunting gun. I do not doubt this information in the least as Justin and his father are both avid hunters and fishermen... I KNOW this for a fact.

 

[Georgia PI]

Just got off the phone with Justin's dad. He has contacted every media source in Pourtsmouth and voiced his concerns about the investigation into Justin's death. Apparently the Portsmouth PD is already under ivestigation in another case.

Justin was killed with the gun the other male brought to Justin's home.
The rifle taken from Justin's home and it's gun carrying case is Justin's hunting gun. I do not doubt this information in the least as Justin and his father are both avid hunters and fishermen... I KNOW this for a fact.

You may also want to call the DA's office and voice his concerns.

 

[Georgia PI]

angelwngs,

You want to put the whole story out to the thread, don't use names just initials.

That way people will know what you are asking for help on.

Talk it over with his parent's before you do anything.

 

[Georgia PI]

BTW - Has DH been charged with anything as far as you know ?.

 

[angelwngs]

BTW - Has DH been charged with anything as far as you know ?.

Not yet.

 

[angelwngs]

The girlfriend was in the car ready to leave with the people she had called to come pick her up.

The male got out of the car with a gun. A struggle took place in the yard when Justin saw the gun and Justin was shot.

 

[angelwngs]

Justin's parents are here with me now. They are updating me on information. The police have not returned any calls from their lawyer who has contacted the chief of police.

Nor have they called Justin's father in his request for a returned phone call.

Det. JD Thomas is the detective working the case. He answers his cell phone every time Justin's girlfriend calls him but has as of yet not answered or returned any calls to Justin's parents. This information comes directly from Justin's girlfriend to Justin's parents.

The PD did NOT inform Justin's parents of Justin's death/shooting/homicide. They were notified by his girlfriend's mother.

Justin's ex-wife saw the girlfriend the day after Justin was killed and she had NO apparent evidence of any physical encounter. NONE, ZERO, NADA, Ziltch except maybe that her lips were a tiny bit chapped.

 

[ArizonaGiGi]

Justin's parents are here with me now. They are updating me on information. The police have not returned any calls from their lawyer who has contacted the chief of police.

Nor have they called Justin's father in his request for a returned phone call.

Det. JD Thomas is the detective working the case. He answers his cell phone every time Justin's girlfriend calls him but has as of yet not answered or returned any calls to Justin's parents. This information comes directly from Justin's girlfriend to Justin's parents.

The PD did NOT inform Justin's parents of Justin's death/shooting/homicide. They were notified by his girlfriend's mother.

Justin's ex-wife saw the girlfriend the day after Justin was killed and she had NO apparent evidence of any physical encounter. NONE, ZERO, NADA, Ziltch except maybe that her lips were a tiny bit chapped.

No offense but I wouldn't trust much of anything the girlfriend says.
ps there is a link somewhere on here to a company called backgroundchecks that you can run criminal checks on people. It costs money for each check but maybe Justin's parents want to check out the friends via that company?
ah I see the link right - at the top of the page just below the WEBSLEUTHS banner....it looks like a "hi my name is EARL" name sticker and states beside it "Want to know more than just their name?". That's the link to the criminal background check company.

 

[Georgia PI]

No offense but I wouldn't trust much of anything the girlfriend says.
ps there is a link somewhere on here to a company called backgroundchecks that you can run criminal checks on people. It costs money for each check but maybe Justin's parents want to check out the friends via that company?
ah I see the link right - at the top of the page just below the WEBSLEUTHS banner....it looks like a "hi my name is EARL" name sticker and states beside it "Want to know more than just their name?". That's the link to the criminal background check company.

Let the parent's attorney subpoena for a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) criminal Check, you need to get felonies and misdemeanors.

http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fbi/is/ncic.htm

https://online.dds.ga.gov/gecps/ncic_ori.aspx

 

[angelwngs]

On a more positive note as to how Law Enforcement is handling the case, I just had a thought after Justin's parents left my home...

I wonder if one reason law enforcement officials are accepting calls from the girlfriend is because they are attempting to "let her talk..." and dig her own hole deeper and deeper... Her stories as to "what happened" have changed drastically in what she is telling Justin's parents during each new phone call.

Maybe just maybe the PD is letting her talk as much as she will and hoping that she will continue to destroy the suspects/poi's original version of 'an accidental shooting ' or 'an act of self-defense'...

Also, I am not sure if PD knows that Justin's parents already know the names of all of the people involved and PD is most likely protecting the Eberharts and the poi's by not wanting to release details which they think the parents do not already know... In general, a grief stricken parent given information to them by PD could be a liability for LE...

They do not know the present frame of mind of the Eberhart parents.

Maybe both reasons above explain why PD will not talk to the parents or return their calls but continue to talk to the girlfriend.

Then again, since the girlfriend is 'hot' the detective is more than 'happy' to talk with her and meet with her...

Afterall, there is apparently a lawsuit or a significant complaint pending against the Portsmouth Police Department.

Who knows.....

 

[angelwngs]

Let the parent's attorney subpoena for a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) criminal Check, you need to get felonies and misdemeanors.

http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/doj/fbi/is/ncic.htm

https://online.dds.ga.gov/gecps/ncic_ori.aspx

Thank you!!! Will forward info!!!!

 

[STEADFAST]

Det. JD Thomas is the detective working the case. He answers his cell phone every time Justin's girlfriend calls him but has as of yet not answered or returned any calls to Justin's parents. This information comes directly from Justin's girlfriend to Justin's parents.
.

The girlfriend could be lying. Or the police are really interested in what she has to say about the incident. Doesn't sound like this police department is sensitive to victims.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I hate to say this, but the questions I asked are very pertinent to the case. If we can't get into those areas because you are not allowing for anything "negative" to be said about Justin...then we aren't going to be able to help you. Sometimes the truth just is not pretty. Facts are facts no matter how unpleasant it may be for someone's memory.

 

[angelwngs]

OK Ga PI...I'll take your advice.

Here is the story:

Justin and his girlfriend, KY, have been living together for a year and a half in Portsmouth Virginia. Justin worked at Lowes with a co-worker, DH, age about 23 who has a wife, MH, who is around the same age. The two females became fast friends. By the way, Justin's girfriend is noted for being a "drama queen"...

On Saturday the 4 went out together to Thumper's Sports Bar and Grill in Portsmouth VA to celebrate the victory of the Georgia Bulldogs football game earlier that day. (Note the red and black "G" flag, for the University of Georgia Football team, in the Justin's yard in the video clip of neighbors telling how well the couple appeared to get along and scenes of the home with crime tape around the yard linked on previous thread). They apparently had a very nice evening out together and Justin even called his dad in GA and discussed the game. Justin was in a great mood and told his father how ironic it was that the he was actually out celebrating Georgia's win with DH, the guy who had threatened to KILL him (Justin) last month!!!!!!!! Justin actually called his dad from the bar and grill Thumpers while there with DH, the guy who shot him later that night.)

The four had a nice evening. It ended with the couples going to their own individual homes. Once home, Justin's girlfriend, KY, told Justin that he was going to have to pay back the money for the night's celebration that she had just charged on her credit card. A financial disagreement ensued. She went and locked herself in the bathroom with her cell phone. Justin took off his shirt and went to the garage and prepared to feed his dogs.

A vehicle pulled up in front of the home and blew the horn. Justin exited the garage to see who was blowing the horn. His girlfriend had run out of the house and had gotten into the passenger side door and closed the door. Justin realize this and went to the car and told her the argument was over and to come on back inside, that everything was ok. Another male was also inside the car who was an EMT. DH's wife, MH was also inside the car. Then DH exited the car with his gun. Justin saw the gun and they began to argue and tussle and Justin was killed. He was shot once in the front area of the shoulder blade with the bullet traveling upwards through his neck and exiting the other side... It severed a major artery and he died in his own front yard from this wound around 2:40 AM. Justin was also grazed by a 2nd bullet.

The entirety of this information comes directly from Justin's girlfriend to Justin's parents and/or to Justin's ex-wife, and mother of his little daughter who is now here in Justin's hometown for the funeral.

The girlfriend, KY, has called Justin's parents and expressed her desire to come to Georgia for Justin's funeral but his parents have advised her 'that is NOT a good idea'. She has told others that she is coming anyway because 'Justin would want her to be here'...and is apparently packed and already has hotel reservations here.

 

[AlwaysShocked]

Well, the most interesting part is that this DH guy had threatened in the past to kill him. Why? Was this said as a joke of some kind or was there actually bad blood between them?

Also, the gun must have been properly registered or else the police would have arrested the shooter on the spot, right? So why was the guy carrying a gun anyway? Is there not a different license for owning a gun and carrying a gun?

I can certainly see why the parents want the situation to be investigated.

 

[angelwngs]

I hate to say this, but the questions I asked are very pertinent to the case. If we can't get into those areas because you are not allowing for anything "negative" to be said about Justin...then we aren't going to be able to help you. Sometimes the truth just is not pretty. Facts are facts no matter how unpleasant it may be for someone's memory.

I discussed this aspect of the case with Justin's parents tonight.
Justin's dad said that he is prepared, (or should I say he is predicting that it will inevitably happen), for his son to be trashed both here and in the media, as he has seen it happen often to victims of other cases.

I am not.
I am not prepared nor am predicting that it will happen here. Justin IS DEAD and not yet buried.

There IS NO public evidence against the person who shot Justin.

The ONLY MEDIA COVERAGE has suggested this was the result of a "domestic confrontation" between girlfriend and boyfriend who were living together and that "friends" were trying to get her to safety. This strongly suggests to the general public viewing this media coverage that Justin is solely at fault and to blame for his own death, if he was killed as 'friends tried to take his girlfriend to safety...' What impartial jury can ever be chosen to serve should Justin's killer ever be prosecuted following such onesided media coverage?

There has been nothing said publically by the media about the fact that this man threatened to KILL JUSTIN a month ago.

THIS MAN's PAST MUST BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED FIRST, before I can be involved in any investigation which may further trash my former student and my dear friend's DEAD son who has as of yet has not even been properly laid to rest.

Thank you, at Websleuths for the private messages which all say you agree that Justin is the victim and that his name and past should not be drug through the mud.

Rest assured that I am NOT looking at this case through rose colored glasses and assuming that Justin is the 110% perfect or a totally innocent victim. However, at this point in time, I sincerely feel that since Justin's name has already been published throughout every local newspaper, and tv station in Virginia as well as on every local tv and radio media source in Portsmouth, stating that his death was a result of a domestic situation in which friends of his girlfriend were attempting to get her to safety, Justin at the very least deserves the same consideration of silence and respect here which the media is offering Justin's killer and the other people who were involved. There names have not even been mentioned aloud in the media or by police, much less trashed.

I beg of you my fellow sleuthers, FIRST Investigate the people involved.
Find out what we can about their pasts before anyone begins trashing Justin's memory. I know that there are probably issues in his past that are not positive, so are there in every human's past...

In order to find truth and justice, ultimately, you may have to investigate Justin at some time in the future, but until the pasts of others involved have been discovered and exposed and until someone is charged with a crime, I beg of you to leave Justin alone in this. (For his precious little daughter, for his younger brother, for his mom, for his dad and for all of us who knew and cared about him...do not drag him memory through the mud...)