Murder victim’s home had pot plants, shotgun

The victim of a June 29 homicide had all the hallmarks of a drug distribution operation in his home, according to a search warrant filed this week in Suffolk Circuit Court.

Police officers in the home after the shooting that killed 20-year-old Brandon Alexander Alston found plastic baggies, a digital scale and “numerous plastic bags of suspected marijuana” during a sweep of the residence, according to the court document.

Upon a further search, they also found a pump shotgun, marijuana plants and seeds, rolling papers, a grinder and smoking devices, the warrant states.

City spokeswoman Debbie George said the police department is not releasing the number of marijuana plants that were found.

Alston was shot just after 11 p.m. in his home in the 200 block of Blackstone Way in the Burbage area in North Suffolk.

A call to 911 at 11:08 p.m. reported several shots fired in the area. Officers found a shattered storm door and bullet holes through the door, with Alston’s body lying just on the other side, according to the search warrant.

Alston was a 2009 graduate of Nansemond River High School who ran track and played football at the school.

In addition to the drugs and drug paraphernalia, the officers also seized two cell phones, the victim’s clothing and assorted paperwork. They also swabbed numerous surfaces to recover trace evidence and substances.

Neighbors of the victim said the morning after the shooting that they could not imagine why the young man had been killed.

Police have not made any arrests in the homicide, and they have not yet identified or described any suspects.