NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A beloved Norfolk store owner was laid to rest Tuesday during a standing-room-only service inside Metropolitan Funeral Services.

James Carter Sr. was a man who taught his family how to love people, according to his son, Kevin Carter, who spoke emotionally of his father during the celebration of life service.

“I’m proud and glad that he was the man that he was,” Kevin Carter said. “I just hope we can go on and continue to do the things that he was doing. My dad did great things. He loved people and we can’t deny that.”

Norfolk Police confirmed that 84-year-old James Carter Sr. was trying to break up a fight in front of his store Triple C’s convenience store Dec. 20, 2023 when he was shot and killed. Another man, Shontel Cradle was also shot and is recovering. 

Three have been charged in connection with the Lindenwood Ave. shooting — Bruce Hisle, Dennis Hisle and Tamika Credle.

“He was taken from us. He didn’t die,” Kevin Carter said. “I could live with life if he had died naturally, but he was taken from us. It’s not a good feeling not for me, not for my brothers, not for his grandchildren, not for his friends.”

Kevin added that his family and friends are heartbroken. 

“He always took care of the community,” Kevin Carter said. “He always told me they were ‘his’ people and that they were.”

During the eulogy, Pastor Kenny Setzer described Carter as a longtime entrepreneur who helped others while he demanded respect. 

“He lived a life pleasing to God because he helped me,” Setzer said. “Use his life as a mirror for change.” 

“There will never be another James Carter,” said Pandora Watts. “He was my friend. He was my Pops. He was my backbone. When I could go to no one and lay my burdens, my problems, my issues, my happiness. I could go to him.”

Carter’s grandniece, Amber Payton, told 10 On Your Side that “just seeing the impact today, I’m at a loss for words. The community will never be the same.”

Said Payton: “It’s tragic, but I do I hope that everyone can take with them what he what he poured into them, and that you continue to live a positive life, that you stay on the right track because people telling me that they’re still here today because of him, then keep going.”

Carter’s obituary states that he was a generous mentor, often helping those in need and sponsoring reading programs, as well as sports teams. 

Police Chief Mark Talbot attended the funeral for what he called a “pillar for the community.”

“He was compassionate, and he demonstrated the values that a lot of us aspire to,” Talbot said. 

The chief crediting this community’s actions for the quick arrests in this case. 

“I’m so proud of the Norfolk Police Department,” Talbot said. “I’m equally proud of the residents who actually solved this case. We, in concert with our residents, solve all of these homicides if we get the kind of cooperation and support that we got in this particular case. I’m proud of the residents here, who came out in ways I’ve never seen before.”