PORTSMOUTH
Be safe.
Those were the last words Norcom High School football coach Larry Archie had for his players after the Greyhounds' 26-0 victory against Deep Creek on Friday night.
But, nearly 24 hours later, Archie received word that one of his players had been shot.
Rashawn Finney, an 18-year-old senior, was shot several times Saturday evening, causing life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Police are still investigating the shooting.
"We don't have all of the details, but he was shot at a party in Chesapeake," Archie said. "He was hit in the arm, shoulder and chest."
Finney is the younger brother of Old Dominion basketball player Ben Finney. Their mother, Desiree, talked about her son's condition Monday from the hospital.
"He's stable, but they keep saying that he's not out of the woods because he could get an infection or anything," she said. "It could have been worse because (the bullets) didn't hit any main arteries, but they shot him seven times.
"We're going to be (in the hospital) for a while, but I'm positive because all of my kids wear their emotions on their face. And when I saw his face, I knew he was going to be all right."
Finney is the fifth South Hampton Roads football player to be injured or killed by gunfire this year.
In March, former Lake Taylor standout Derrius Walton and former Salem star Kevin Whaley were shot. Walton died from his injuries, but Whaley survived and is still recovering while on football scholarship at the University of Minnesota.
In July, former Deep Creek star Donte Newsome and former Oscar Smith standout Lonnie Andrews were both shot and killed just days apart.
"A lot of kids today think that it won't happen to them or to somebody they know," said Archie, who again addressed his team Monday at school. "And sometimes that guy who was with you Friday night isn't with you on Monday morning, whether it be temporary or permanently."
His frustrations are felt by many coaches. The reasons for the violence, Archie said, stem from gangs, drugs and girls.
In Finney's case, his mother has heard numerous stories about what happened Saturday, including that Rashawn was breaking up a fight.
"But the only story I want to hear is his," she said. "But he can't talk because he still has a tube down his throat and a tube in his chest."
Finney, Archie said, is different than most kids he meets. At 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, Finney knew he wasn't going to be a big-time athlete like his brother, Ben.
"But the thing about Rashawn was, he had a plan," Archie said of Finney, an honors student. "He's in the ROTC and he said he was going into the Navy. Then he changed his mind and said he was going to school first and then go into the Navy. He has his future planned out."
Finney, a co-captain, has been a key player in the Greyhounds' surprising 3-0 start. A possession receiver, he had four receptions for 43 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 2-point conversion, this season.
The Greyhounds will be without Finney the rest of the season.
"We have to move forward because we can't undo history," Archie said. "This is a time when things can fall completely apart or you get stronger. We're not going to make any excuses or hold our heads down. What we can take care of is what happens on the field."
Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com
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The truth
My poor baby! The newspapers got it all wrong! First of all, Peanut died early Friday morning..... Please pray for his mother. Second, he definatly wasn't breaking up a fight. He was at a party in Chesapeake minding his own business. In Virginia, we have 2 main gangs. Y.N.i.C. (why - nick) and oaks mob. Peanut was a part of oaks mob and a boy from Y.N.i.C. shot him for it. Im truly sick of all this gang stuff. I thought if you were in a gang it was like a family who had your back no matter what. If so, then why would you go around killing other people's families? Stupid. And third, Peanut was very well known. Every school in Portsmouth was affected by his death and even some in other cities. He was very well known, and I can't speak for sure but i know i loved him. Norcom was even shut down for a day because the students caused a riot. Lordy, Lordy. It's nice to know that he's in a better place, but i still miss him. His funeral is Saturday..........
team mate
Im sorry to hear about my team mate, Rashawn. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he knows that he is missed by the team. My heart goes out to his mother, and family as well.
Keep your head up Rashawn
Chrisd?
I can't believe that you would write "I hope we as a society can someday soon rise above the chains that bind one into governmental slavery, and into individual independence". I don't know a single soul that is bound in chains to government slavery. Are you altogether there? You can't be right! Are you talking about people that chose to be on the public dole and riding on the back of the government programs while not giving anything back? Are you talking about the people that chose not to work? Please describe to me what you mean by a society that is bound in chains to governmental slavery. I would just like to read what you feel in your heart, because with statements like you have made it is obvious that your mind has been corrupted by something. Don't blame the government for something that belongs to every parent, responsibility for their own children and their actions.
Good ole VPilot
No mention of a possible suspect running around with a gun. Just another heart warming story of an angel getting shot late in the evening.
Guns are not responsible
The person pulling the trigger is responsible. Could have just as easily been a baseball bat. Would folks have been saying there are too many baseball bats on the street? Secondly, although no one can say this guy getting shot is "his own fault" but knowing what kind of stuff goes on with kids, sad to say more especially black kids, one has to ensure that he dosen't put himself in this kind of situation either.Well wishes to the family and praying for a speedy recovery.
ldysknzfn
I am sorry for your loss. I only pray we will learn from your loss and others likewise. No parent wants or deserves to outlive their children and no parent could ever dismiss your loss.
The tragedy's of the black community, and the lack of forceful law enforcement response are a result of their victimization by a paternal group that seek to save them from themselves.
I hope we as a society can someday soon rise above the chains that bind one into governmental slavery, and into individual independence. As long as we rely on government for answers to social issues, there will be no resolution. History has proven that personal responsibility, is the cornerstone of successful nations.
The 750 character limit
Lends itself to political bomb throwing devoid of facts. With a reasonably talented editor most posters could write circles around the "professional journalists" that this newspaper employs.
Did they interview this young man's father? Does he have a father in the home? Does his mother know where he was and what time was he due home? Did she give him permission to be who knows where at whatever time with no curfew? Or did she go home and go to sleep after winning the BIG GAME?
I would imagine that the final score is now meaningless to her and their community. But this is what we have become.
Until we demand the same of others, that we expect of ourselves, this madness will not end.
Maybe I am wrong, perhaps the "professional journalists" were trumped by the anti first amendment editorial staff?
The Village will not save your children. IT IS YOUR JOB!!!!
The blame game!
He blames gangs, drugs and girls. The posters on here blame guns. These little hoods running around with guns stashed away in their baggy pants is the problem. It is the gun that you can not see, in the wrong hands that causes the problems. I have never heard of a responsible citizen that open carries a weapon use it to shoot anyone other than self defense. Thankfully we live in Virginia where we the law abiding citizen can open carry a weapon if we want/need to, or to carry it concealed if we have the proper permits. Girls may be involved in these shootings, but I don't believe you can blame them. You may be able to blame an immature boys actions due to his feelings about a girl as a cause, but unless they lure them into the danger it is not their fault. This article did not say what time this shooting took place, I wish it did. I take a lot of heat because of my feeling for allowing any child under the age of 18 out after 10PM. It should not happen. 10PM may even be a little late, nothing good happens after 10PM on the street or at parties after those hours. It may not make sense, but it does keep them safe.
Put the guns in jail and this will stop, right?
Guns aren't the problem, so don't try to restrict legal guns rights based on criminal activity. This is the same story over and over again. In fact, this almost has attained the status of no longer being news, just another obituary. The sources of this problem are obvious to everyone, it's just that those closest to the problem choose to ignore it or blame others. Until people "Bill Cosby-Up" this will continue. Continue with knives, bats, fists, feet--whatever, the choice of weapon will make no difference. The outcome will be the same. And that's the true tragedy here.
Where are the guns coming
Where are the guns coming from? I have a better question; why do these people want to kill someone?
tragic
I am not advocating banning guns but something is very wrong when our young people are getting slaughtered in the streets with handguns.
Where are all the guns coming from?
Condolences and wishing a speedy recovery to this family.
Another young athlete shot
I'm sorry to hear about this young man being shot. I pray for his survival and recovery. Hopefully, this will not alter the plans he has for his future.
I'm assuming by the text of this article that this happened in the SoNo area of Chesapeake. If so, it seems SoNo is contributing more than its fair share of youth gang related violence. I'd also say that these are elaborate schemes concocted by these gangs to bring down the good kids in the community...
Sad Situation
Hope he recovers and can complete his life plan. Kids shooting kids? Where did they learn to be so violent? Could it be what is being broadcast on T.V., the movies, the music, the video games? Glorifing guns/violence in our society is taking a toll. It seems if you are under 25 years old, you are in a high risk environment.
Young black athletes getting shot
Happens too often....and they're being shot by other black kids. Serious problem but it seems no one has a solution.
Sad
So sorry to hear of another young man being shot. I hope he will recover and that he and his family can move forward. My heart goes out to his mother as I know what it's like to have a son shot. I only hope that her outcome is much better than mine and it sounds as though it will be. God be with you and peace to you all.