HOPEWELL, Va. -- Police said a 49-year-old man was shot and killed near the gas pumps at a Quick Express Store on South 15th Avenue Wednesday night.
They responded to the gas station around 9:30 p.m. after reports of someone being shot, and found the man with life-threatening injuries, according to Hopewell Police.
Emergency medical professionals tried to save the man at the scene, but it was too late.
He was later identified as Malike Herbert Benjamin of Chesterfield County.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” said Chief of Police Kamran Afzal.
Police are investigating the man's death, and have discovered a person of interest in connection.
Surveillance videos from the store showed the unidentified person of interest leaving in a possible gold Chevy Tahoe, early 2000s model.
Malike's mother said he was at the corner store where he was shot to run an errand for her.
"We pretty much stay in the house, I think a lot of us are really still staying in but we still have to go out and live our daily life and take our kids to the doctor and go to the store but you just don't know when is a safe time to go," his mother said.
His murder is the second one in three days in Hopewell. While Crime Insider sources say the two are not connected, they happened in close proximity.
"I just don't even have an explanation for it, I mean I don't understand," his mother said.
Longtime residents say that they are hoping that the recent violence isn't a sign of a long-term trend.
"It's either you wanna die behind a few words because your pride is hurt or you can ignore it and go on and be with your family. Get over it. It needs to stop. It really needs to stop. It's scary and it's sad," his mother said.
Anyone who may have any information can contact Lead Detective Mark Polumbo of the Hopewell Criminal
Investigations Unit at (804) 541-2284.
You can remain anonymous by contacting the Hopewell Prince George Crime Solvers hotline at (804) 541-2202 or provide a tip using the P3tips mobile app.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
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