NORFOLK, Va. - Police are investigating after a shooting at MacArthur Center Saturday evening.
Police responded to a shooting in the 300 block of Monticello Avenue after a call came in at 6:25 p.m.
According to Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone, one man, identified as 33-year-old Roosevelt A. McKinney, has been pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people, a man and a woman, have been taken to Sentara General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
At first, police stated it was a woman that was pronounced dead, however, Chief Boone corrected the release in a press conference. Police also corrected their release further Sunday morning to say a man and a woman, not two women, were injured.
Boone says the shooting stemmed from an argument regarding money.
#Update Correction: A man was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was originally reported as a woman. https://t.co/M7jhAo12tM
— Norfolk Police Dept (@NorfolkPD) April 3, 2022
A few sales associates at the mall tell us MacArthur was on lockdown. One Dillard's associate tells News 3 that they were told to lock up and go to the first level of their store.
Nick Colonna, who works at Center Court near Dillard's, said, "Families are hiding in our store, they're hiding in other stores. Me and my co-workers have discussed that we're not comfortable going back because it could just happen again."
Colonna said that with all the gun violence that has taken place, he never thought it would be so close to him.
"It was such a lively day! People were doing Easter Bunny photo shoots and it started to feel like MacArthur was getting back to a place where you can shop, and then this happens," Colonna said.
A woman in the mall told our photojournalist that she was in Dillard's when she heard the gunshots.
We were in Dillards when we heard the three pops of gunfire, screams and saw people running in our direction, toward the exits. We evacuated immediately. The police and eventually Swat team appeared on the scene. I am still shaking. Lord, be with these people and this community. https://t.co/D6tftlKKf2
— Juana Kaz (@kazelltchr) April 3, 2022
Many roads in the area were blocked off as police investigated.
Detectives originally asked for the public’s help to identify two men they believed were involved in the fatal shooting.
On May 18, police announced they had arrested Gary L. Moore, who was wanted in the incident.
Police provided an update Sunday stating that the suspect and the victim are not related, as previously reported.
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander responded to Saturday's shooting. He told News 3 that he plans to talk to the City Manager Monday about launching what he calls a two-pronged approach to reducing gun violence.
"I want to speak directly to what is happening downtown. We have had 13 shootings in the past year downtown," the mayor tells News 3. "It is not only a loss of life for the individual and the family. but we all are victims, the cities, the residential communities, the business communities. We are all victims."
The mayor tells us he is asking for an increase in police power.
'" I am asking for an increase in police presence. We need an increase in police presence and set clear standards," he tells News 3. "It is going to be tough. We need to have zero tolerance. Part of the short-term strategies includes anti-violence approaches, cameras, surveillance, and having strict code enforcement."
Mayor Kenny Alexander tells us the next part of the plan is collaborating with trusted partners in the community who want to drive change themselves in housing and employment and workforce development.
"I think the two-pronged approach is law enforcement. We must have strict law enforcement, be focused, and target criminal activity. We have to be measured and balanced, fair and equitable in the administration of justice," he said.
This shooting comes two weeks after the deadly quintuple shooting on Granby Street.
"Immediate action is to put an end to the violence with clear police standards and to increase presence not necessarily power. You must have focus to target deterrents and you have to be measured, it must be equitable," the mayor said.
Anyone who recognizes these men, or has information about this incident is encouraged to submit a tip by calling the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or by using the P3Tips mobile app.
