HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — One man is dead and another seriously wounded after police say they shot each other early Tuesday on North King Street.
It happened in front of the leasing office at the Proper Apartments at 1568 N. King Street around 1 a.m., not far from Langley Air Force Base.
“I heard some shots,” said Mike Thornsberry, who lives about a hundred yards away. “My friend called me and said there was a lot of shots going off. Pow, pow, pow, pow, something like that.”
Upon arrival, officers located a 46-year-old man and another male victim. One was transported to a local hospital, where he died. He was identified on Wednesday as 24-year-old Maalik Payne, of Smithfield.
The second victim was dropped off at a hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Police said the preliminary investigation showed there was an exchange of gunfire between the men and they were not looking for suspects.
A neighbor told 10 On Your Side the man who survived was a resident at the complex and lived above the leasing office. Several Hampton officers, one carrying a protective shield, entered the apartment about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. They emerged empty-handed.
Police say they are investigating the potential motive and circumstances surrounding the double shooting.
Neighbors say drug activity at the complex has increased in recent months. However, Barry Tomlin, vice president for property management for the Breeden Company, which manages Prosper Apartments, denies any recent trend.
“There’s no history of drug problems on the property,” Tomlin said. “We were taken aback when we heard about the incident. We’re cooperating with the police in their investigation.”