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Son of prominent anti-gun violence advocate killed in Norfolk shooting

Bilal Muhammad, a well-known community organizer in Norfolk, told 13News Now that he was on the phone with his youngest son, Ali Muhammad, as he was shot and killed.

NORFOLK, Va. — Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Ali and Bilal Muhammad's names.

The son of a prominent anti-gun violence advocate in Norfolk died late Thursday night in a shooting in the Ocean View area. 

Around 10:35 p.m., the Norfolk Police Department received a report of a gunshot victim and dispatched officers to the 9600 block of 1st Bay Street, according to an NPD press release.

Upon arrival, officers found 33-year-old Ali K. Muhammad suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Ali's father, Bilal Muhammad, told 13News Now that he was on the phone with his son at the time of the shooting. 

He said Ali was getting into his car to go to work at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital when someone pulled up, blocked him in and then approached him.

Over the phone, Bilal said he heard someone confront Ali and then he heard his son shout at the person to "put down the gun." Then he heard gunshots.

Bilal said he immediately called police and then his family. He says Ali leaves behind young children.

"Know their names because he leaves behind three beautiful daughters that we will now have to raise," said Bilal. "Now they will be raised without the father they should have had."

Bilal is a well-known community organizer and one of the biggest advocates against gun violence in Norfolk. He told 13News Now he's spent years fighting the very thing that took his youngest son's life.

On Friday, loved ones and police gathered at the spot where Ali Muhammad died. Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot even joined the family and offered his condolences and support.

Bilal says he won't rest until justice is served. Chief Talbot says NPD has every intention of solving this case and putting handcuffs on the person responsible as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for Sentara confirmed Ali was an employee at Norfolk General Hospital.

“We offer our deepest condolences to Ali Muhammad’s family following the news of his death," the spokesperson said in a statement. 

Sentara's statement also said the company's employee assistance program was being provided for any of Ali's colleagues who need support in the wake of his passing.

Police are investigating this as a homicide and ask anyone with information about it to contact the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-562-5887 or submit a tip online at P3Tips.com.

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