PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Councilman De’Andre Barnes was arrested on domestic assault charges Sunday night.
Around 9:10 p.m., Portsmouth police responded to a call for a possible burglary in the 200 block of Boat Street. However, officers determined the incident to stem from a domestic dispute allegedly involving Barnes.
While officers were still on the scene, a physical altercation occurred and reportedly resulted in the councilman’s arrest, police said.
Barnes was brought to the magistrate and charged with domestic assault. He was released on personal recognizance.
A neighbor who did not want to be identified told 10 On Your Side that the alleged behavior of councilman Barnes does not represent Portsmouth.
“I think it’s just a family matter, but unfortunately because he does serve the community, he should be representing everybody and what he’s doing isn’t right,” the neighbor said. “I think what he … supposedly has done does not represent everybody, and if he is actively serving, I think he should step down.”
Barnes was elected in November 2020 as the youngest ever to serve on the Portsmouth City Council. His term ends Dec. 31.
This incident follows Barnes’ arrest last month for domestic assault and battery involving his daughter. In that case, child protective services were notified, the child remained in the mother’s custody, and Barnes was not charged with a crime.