VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A person was shot and killed in a Virginia Beach shooting early Friday morning, according to police.
The Virginia Beach Police Department said it happened in the 5200 block of Princess Anne Road. Police got the call of the shooting around 1:30 a.m., according to a police spokesperson.
Police found the victim with a gunshot wound there. Medics took the victim to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
He's been identified as Amonte Walkup, 21.
“It’s an issue at the parking lot at night, Thursday through Saturday usually,” said Russell Price, the owner of Virginia Beach Florist.
Crime scene tape roped off a shopping plaza on the road for several hours as detectives gathered evidence. Multiple evidence markers could be seen in the parking lot. Police later towed a car from the scene.
A man who did not want to be identified said he went to Parlays 2 Bar and Grill last night. He said before the shooting, a worker announced someone had a gun outside. The man said he and other customers had to wait inside the business for about an hour. Price, whose business is next door, woke up to texts about the scene, unsurprised about the early morning events.
“It’s not good for business," he said. "It really isn’t but it’s just something we have to deal with. It’s a good location for us and the jiu-jitsu [gym] but at night, you want to be out of here by dark.”
Price said it’s not the first time a situation like this has happened at the shopping plaza.
“I’ve been up here late at night, there’s been fights, plenty of fights," Price said. "You can hear them right next door.”
He said his concern is the safety of many people who frequently shop and work here.
“It’d be nice to have a safe environment for my staff and for kids who come in for jiu-jitsu,” he said.
Police don't have a suspect right now, but the shooting is being investigated.
Anyone with information about what happened can reach out to the police department at 757-385-5000 or the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
People can also use P3 Tips online to submit an anonymous tip.