Jerome "Dink" Sutton was a young man known for his smile and his funny, goofy, and lovable personality. At 20 years old, the Norfolk, Virginia, native was remembered by friends and family as a caring, smart, and outgoing person who loved to play sports and spend time with his family. He was a product of his community, having attended T.W.P. Elementary, Ruffner Middle School, and Booker T. Washington High School. Those who loved him saw a life full of light and potential, a great person who was always smiling and brought joy to those around him.
That life came to a sudden and violent end on Thursday, September 26, 2013. On that late summer day, Jerome, a young Black man, was shot and killed in his hometown of Norfolk. The specific details of the shooting—the exact time, location, and what circumstances led to the fatal gun violence—have not been made public.
What is known is that an act of violence claimed the life of a beloved son, brother, and friend, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew him and a case for law enforcement to solve.
In the days that followed, Jerome's family and community gathered to mourn their profound loss. A funeral service was held on the morning of Friday, October 4, 2013, at Holy Jerusalem C.O.G.I.C. on East 27th Street in Norfolk. The arrangements were handled by Keith Matthews Funeral Home. In the years since his death, an online tribute wall has been filled with messages of love and remembrance, with friends and family sharing memories, lighting virtual candles, and expressing how deeply they miss him. Messages like "love and miss you son" and "gone but Neva forgotten" paint a picture of a grief that remains fresh for many.
The investigation into Jerome Sutton's homicide is handled by the Norfolk Police Department. Despite the passage of time, there has been no public announcement of any arrests made or suspects identified in connection with his death. The case has grown cold, joining the ranks of other unsolved homicides in the city, where families wait indefinitely for answers and for justice to be served. For investigators, such cases often rely on new information from the public—a witness who is finally ready to speak or someone who has heard something over the years that could provide a crucial break.
The city of Norfolk, like many urban areas, has contended with its share of gun violence, with numerous cases going unsolved and leaving a lasting impact on neighborhoods and families. The Norfolk Police Department's Cold Case Unit is tasked with re-examining unsolved homicides, hoping that new technology or fresh interviews can shed light on cases that have stalled. These investigations are often a slow and painstaking process, a relentless pursuit of justice for victims like Jerome.
More than a decade has passed since Jerome "Dink" Sutton was killed, but for his family, the questions surrounding his death remain unanswered. His memory is kept alive by those who loved him, who remember his smile, his love for his family, and the bright future that was stolen from him. As of today, the investigation into his murder remains open but unresolved, a painful and lingering chapter for a family still waiting for closure.
