Mom: Son died protecting family

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - Two men are dead after being shot during a hostage situation in a Chesapeake apartment Sunday morning. 

Chesapeake Police spokeswoman Kelly O'Sullivan said officers arrived in the 1300 block of Canal Drive just before 1 a.m. and heard screaming and gunshots coming from inside an apartment. Officers were unable to get anyone to answer the door or make entry into the home.

Moments later, two people came out of the apartment. Medics took one of the hostages to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for a gunshot wound and doctors pronounced him dead a short time later. Police identified him as Derwin Watts, 19, of the same address.

O'Sullivan said negotiations with the suspect were unsuccessful. The SWAT team ultimately made entry into the residence and shot the suspect one time in the head. He survived and was taken to the hospital.

Police identified the alleged gunman as Charles Collins, 44, from Pollicksville, N.C. They charged him with two counts of first degree murder, five counts of abduction and multiple firearms charges.

Police searched the home and discovered a second victim, who they said was shot and killed by Collins. Police identified the victim as Michael Temple, 40, from the 800 block of Brooks Avenue, Elizabeth City, N.C.

WAVY.com spoke to Tanisha Watts, the owner of the apartment. She was one of five people held hostage.

Watts says the shooter, Charles Collins, is her ex-boyfriend. She says they were engaged, but split up in January. Watts says Collins called her before he showed up at the home, saying he was upset she had a new boyfriend.

Watts and her current boyfriend, Michael Temple, were in a bedroom with Watts' granddaughter when Temple got up to use the bathroom in the hallway.

Watts says she heard a gunshot and found Temple lying on the floor, bleeding from the chest.

That's when Watts realized Collins was inside her apartment with a gun. Watts says she forgot Collins had a key. She says he barricaded the door with a sofa and a chair before they even knew he was inside.

"I remember him getting the gun and pointing the gun at myself and my head," said Watts.

She told WAVY.com she feared for her 19-year-old son, Derwin "DJ" Watts, who was also in the apartment with a friend. She knew she had to do something.

Watts say Collins paced back and forth to look out the windows at the police and SWAT team assembling outside.

"I had to convince Charles I would go to the door with him," said Watts. "I said I will tell them [police] everything's okay."

When Collins agreed, Watts says she pretended to faint.

"Charles went to bathroom to get water to splash in my face," said Watts. "That's when I ran to the door and unlocked the door."

Watts says Collins noticed and chased after her, but her son tackled him. That's when she heard the gunshot.

"My baby died because he was trying to stop Charles from shooting me as I was going out the door," said Watts.

Derwin Watts ran out behind his mother, but later died at the hospital. Temple also died from his injuries.

Stay with WAVY News 10 and WAVY.com for updates on this developing story.