Investigators said one person died after gunfire erupted outside the convenience store late Sunday.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth police are investigating a fatal shooting outside a Wawa convenience store on Frederick Boulevard after officers responded to reports of gunfire late Sunday night and found one person dead near the parking lot.
Authorities said detectives are searching for two men believed to be connected to the homicide, which unfolded at the Wawa in the 1200 block of Frederick Boulevard. Police have not publicly identified the victim or released a motive, but investigators said surveillance footage and witness statements are being reviewed as the case moves forward. The shooting added to concerns about violent crime in the city and prompted a larger police presence around the business overnight.
Officers were dispatched to the store after multiple calls reporting shots fired shortly before midnight. Police arrived to find emergency crews and several customers gathered near the gas pumps while officers secured the scene with yellow tape. Witnesses described hearing several rapid gunshots followed by people running across the parking lot. WAVY reporter Karina Garcia, who was at the station getting gas during the shooting, said customers quickly ducked for cover as confusion spread across the property. Investigators later confirmed the shooting was being treated as a homicide and asked nearby businesses for surveillance video that could help track the suspects’ movements before and after the gunfire.
Detectives said the two men being sought left the area before officers arrived. No detailed descriptions were immediately released, and police have not said whether the suspects knew the victim before the shooting. Crime scene investigators spent several hours collecting shell casings and photographing evidence around the storefront and parking lot entrance. Several police vehicles remained at the scene into the early morning hours Monday as traffic moved slowly along Frederick Boulevard. Investigators also interviewed employees and customers who were inside the store when the shooting happened. Authorities said no additional injuries were reported, though several witnesses described panic and fear as customers rushed into the store or hid behind vehicles after hearing gunfire.
The Wawa shooting unfolded in one of Portsmouth’s busiest commercial corridors, an area lined with gas stations, restaurants and retail stores that remain active late into the night. Portsmouth police have responded to several violent incidents in recent years as city leaders continue efforts to reduce gun violence and improve staffing levels within the department. Public safety discussions have remained a major issue for local officials as homicide investigations have increased in past years. The city has also invested in additional patrols and partnerships with regional law enforcement agencies to address repeat violent offenses. While investigators have not linked Sunday’s shooting to other recent crimes, the homicide quickly drew attention from residents who said gun violence near heavily traveled businesses has become a growing concern.
Police said the investigation remains active and that detectives are working to identify the suspects through surveillance footage, witness interviews and forensic evidence collected at the scene. Authorities have not announced arrests or charges as of Monday afternoon. Officials are expected to release additional information once relatives of the victim are notified and investigators complete preliminary interviews. Detectives also urged anyone who may have been in the area during the shooting to contact Portsmouth police or Crime Line with information. Investigators are expected to continue reviewing evidence throughout the week, and police said additional patrols may remain near the Wawa location while the investigation continues.
Employees arriving for work Monday morning described a tense atmosphere around the convenience store as investigators continued documenting evidence near the gas pumps and parking spaces. Some nearby residents said they were awakened by sirens and flashing lights shortly after the shooting occurred. “It was chaotic for a while,” one witness said as officers redirected traffic around the scene. Customers stopping by the store later in the morning said they were surprised a deadly shooting happened at a location many residents visit daily. Police officers continued speaking with community members throughout the morning while detectives worked behind marked patrol vehicles positioned around the property.
The homicide investigation remained ongoing Monday evening, with detectives continuing to search for two men believed to be connected to the shooting. Police said more details, including the victim’s identity and possible charges, could be released after additional evidence is reviewed.
Author note: Last updated May 11, 2026.