Investigators spent hours collecting evidence after gunfire erupted outside the Frederick Boulevard store.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth police launched a homicide investigation after a person was fatally shot outside a Wawa convenience store on Frederick Boulevard, sending customers scrambling for safety during the late-night gunfire.
Investigators said officers responded to reports of shots fired at the store in the 1200 block of Frederick Boulevard and later confirmed that one person died at the scene. Detectives are now trying to locate two men believed to have fled the area after the shooting. Officials have not released the identity of the victim or explained what may have led to the violence, but police said investigators are reviewing evidence gathered from the busy commercial property and surrounding businesses.
Witnesses described a frightening scene as gunfire rang out near the gas pumps and storefront. Several customers reportedly ran for cover while others remained inside the convenience store until police secured the area. Emergency vehicles quickly filled the parking lot as officers blocked entrances and redirected traffic away from the scene. WAVY reporter Karina Garcia said she was pumping gas nearby when shots were fired, describing moments of confusion as customers tried to understand what was happening. Officers later taped off a large portion of the property while crime scene technicians photographed evidence markers scattered across the pavement.
Police said detectives spent hours canvassing the area for surveillance footage that could help identify the suspects. Nearby businesses and traffic cameras along Frederick Boulevard may also provide investigators with additional evidence. Authorities said they are trying to determine whether the shooting was targeted or the result of an argument that escalated. No information about the suspects’ vehicle or direction of travel had been released by Monday morning. Investigators interviewed multiple witnesses at the scene, including employees and customers who were inside the store during the shooting. Authorities said the investigation remains in its early stages and several details have not yet been confirmed publicly.
The homicide drew renewed attention to public safety concerns in Portsmouth, where city officials and law enforcement leaders have faced ongoing pressure to address violent crime. Frederick Boulevard is one of the city’s busiest roadways and serves as a major route connecting residential neighborhoods with retail and commercial areas. Residents said the Wawa location is frequently crowded late at night because of nearby traffic and businesses that remain open around the clock. Police have increased patrol efforts in several areas of the city in recent years as officials attempt to reduce shootings and improve response times. Community members near the scene said the violence was unsettling because the shooting happened in a highly visible public area often filled with families, workers and travelers.
Authorities said homicide detectives will continue processing evidence and interviewing witnesses over the coming days. The medical examiner is expected to determine the victim’s official cause of death, while detectives work to establish a timeline leading up to the shooting. Police have not announced any arrests or filed charges as of Monday afternoon. Investigators also encouraged witnesses who left the scene before officers arrived to contact detectives if they captured cellphone video or observed suspicious activity around the parking lot before the shooting. Additional updates are expected once investigators complete preliminary interviews and notify family members of the victim.
By Monday morning, parts of the parking lot remained marked with evidence cones as employees reopened sections of the property to customers. Some residents stopped near the scene to speak with officers or watch investigators continue their work. “People come here every day,” one nearby resident said while watching police vehicles leave the area. “You don’t expect something like this to happen while people are just getting gas or food.” Police officers remained visible around the store for several hours after sunrise as detectives finalized evidence collection and reviewed security footage from surrounding buildings.
The case remained under active investigation Monday evening as Portsmouth detectives continued searching for the two men believed to be involved. Police said future updates could include suspect descriptions, possible charges and additional details about the victim once the investigation advances.
Author note: Last updated May 11, 2026.