NORFOLK, Va. — Two people are facing charges in a shooting near a Dollar Tree on North Military Highway Saturday night, authorities announced Sunday.
In a social media post, Norfolk police said a man was shot on North Military Highway near Norview Avenue at around 8:15 p.m. The 19-year-old victim was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police later learned of an 18-year-old who walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound.
Cynthia Beal is a Norfolk native and says the crime has become a problem.
"The [robberies], the stealing from the stores, everything is just kind of like haywire. Safety is a concern everywhere, its not just in Norfolk, its everywhere right now. Everyone is feeling a little unsafe.” Beal said.
Detectives determined the two shootings are related. 18-year-old Kevon Cooper and a 16-year-old, who has not been publicly identified, were arrested, police said. Cooper is facing malicious wounding and use of a firearm charges.
This comes just days after Norfolk police hosted their first walk to combat crime in the community. Activists hope a "come together" like the walk will change the community.
"We need to sit down and get besides our egos on perceptions and this kind of work together let's bring the village back. Lets heal the mind,” one activist says.
Beal feels like something needs to be done to prevent more youth violence.
“If we find something productive for our young citizens to do, our young adults, the younger, the smaller kids, just something for them to do and to be engaged in. I think it'll be a great help for our city.” Beal said.
Police have not yet released a motive, or any additional circumstances surrounding this incident. The identities of the victims have not been released.