NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A man was shot dead Monday morning at an Exxon station on Jefferson Avenue, and police say the suspect is now in custody.

It happened just after 11 a.m. at the Exxon in the 13300 block of Jefferson Avenue. Medics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

“It was terrifying,” said Shauna, an Exxon employee. “I had a panic attack. I was working with the money, so I didn’t see anything, but I heard gunshots.”

Brandon Maynard with Newport News Police confirmed the victim died inside the store near the front door.

“I saw him lying face down, so I don’t know who it was,” Shauna said. “I saw blood coming from his head. I tried not to look too much.”

The suspect in this case was described as approximately 6 feet tall with a skinny build, wearing a dark-colored hoodie, red sweatpants with a white stripe down the side and black shoes, armed with a firearm.

Newport News Police released pictures of the suspect, and announced Monday night that he was in custody. They said no other information will be released until Tuesday.

“Any loss of life affects us all. I can only imagine how it would affect the family if it affects us hard,” Maynard said. “That’s why we want to bring closure to the family as much as we can.”

Michelle Price with Newport News Public Schools confirmed five schools were placed on precautionary lockdowns: Dozier Middle School, Denbigh Early Childhood Center, Lee Hall Elementary, Woodside High School , and Greenwood Elementary.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with WAVY.com for updates.