PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — A cashier and a private security guard were found shot inside the Food Lion on London Boulevard in Portsmouth on Tuesday night, and one person was taken into custody, police said.
Police responded around 8:30 p.m. after a call for medical assistance at the store in the 1500 block of London Blvd.
“I mean us as people gotta do better,” shopper Kam Bryant said. “Like it’s too many kids out here these days and all these shootings.”
One of the victims was treated at the scene for a non life-threatening injury and released. The other man’s injury was also non life-threatening.
Tyler Mercer was charged with unlawful wounding and assault and battery.
Someone who was inside the store at the time of the incident told WAVY News 10’s Ashley Knight that the shooting happened near a cash register and that police were given surveillance video, which they are reviewing.
“This happened right near the high school,” shopper Pamela Burroughs said. “You know what we care about? Somebody might get a $100 ticket out here if the light is flashing. This shooting is right by these kids!”
Pamela Burroughs lives in Olde Towne, Portsmouth. She knows the police have a lot on their plate but thinks more priority should be placed on violent crime.
“The level of violence we live with here is astonishing to me. It’s astonishing. And I see young people and I think, are they just internalizing this and accepting it? What are these kids going to think today? They’re going to think this is how it is in the world?”
WAVY News 10 received a statement from Food Lion’s corporate headquarters. It reads:
“While this store location already has security in place, we are collaborating with local law enforcement to implement additional security measures. We are also providing support through our employee assistance program to ensure the well-being of our associates. As this is an ongoing investigation, we direct any further questions to local law enforcement.“
Food Lion Statement
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
