NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk police are investigating an attempted murder-suicide case on Suburban Arch, off Tidewater Drive and Thole Street.
Police were called to the home in the 7000 block of Suburban Arch around 12:40 p.m. Monday.
A man was pronounced dead at the scene and a 66-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Police released an update Tuesday that she was still in the hospital, in stable condition.
The investigation determined the man, identified as 69-year-old Bobby Lee, shot the woman, then himself.
There are no other details at this time from police, but they said they were not looking for additional suspects. The medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
Neighbors said they heard about 2 to 3 shots. A neighbor told WAVY’s Kiahnna Patterson, the woman was recently diagnosed with an illness and her husband was devastated by the news.
Neighbors say the couple is best known for their Chinese restaurant called the Far East on East Princess Anne Road. The restaurant closed in 2018 after four decades in business.
Neighbors describe the couple as very kind and hardworking.
“I wish they would have had somebody that they could have picked up the phone, or someone to call, or an agency to call to say, ‘hey I’ve got this going through my head.’ I’m so scared of what’s going on,” said neighbor Jennifer Jackson.
Courtney Pierce, with Samaritan House tells WAVY.com this incident is considered domestic violence or intimate-partner violence. “There is a sense of hopelessness, which does not at all give someone the right to harm another person, I think overall we’re seeing a lot of folks that feel hopeless and they are turning to violence as an outlet.”
The woman’s friends and family is comforting her during this time.
“Sometimes there won’t be answers,” adds Pierce. “We might never know why but we do want to offer. If someone is feeling down, hopeless or depressed that there are resources that folks can reach out too and there is no shame in that!”
Avalon Center in Williamsburg
- Phone: 757-258-5022
- Offers transitional housing, emergency shelter, youth services, legal advice, and counseling.
- 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 757- 258-5051
Samaritan House Inc. in Virginia Beach
- Phone: 757-631-0710
- Offers counseling, emergency shelter placement, and safety planning.
- 24-hour Crisis Hotline 757-430-2120
HER Shelter in Portsmouth
- Phone: 757-485-1445
- Offers emergency services, court assistance, shelter, employment, housing assistance.
- Hotline: 757-485-3384
Eastern Shore Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Hotline number: 757-787-1329
- Offers: an emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, individual counseling, safety planning, children’s services, legal advocacy, accompaniment during hospital visits and court appearances and support groups to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Website: https://www.escadv.org/
National Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline: 1-888-3737-888.
Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force -757-430-2120
Prevent Child Abuse America – Coronavirus Resources & Tips for Parents, Children & Others.
Child abuse and neglect are serious problems that can have lasting harmful effects on its victims. For more information on preventing child abuse and neglect check out resources from the CDC or call The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 for help.