NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A woman trying to protect children after a shooting broke out following an altercation between two men on East Onley Road in Norfolk was caught in the crossfire and was shot herself, police said.
The woman was taken to the hospital and has non life-threatening injuries, according to police, who consider the two men suspects and are looking for them.
A man near the site of the shooting in Norfolk Wednesday afternoon said he heard up to 20 shots that were fired on East Onley Road as a Juneteenth celebration was taking place near the same area.
Around 4:05 p.m., Norfolk Police responded to the 800 block of E. Onley Road for the report of a gunshot victim, and when officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.
“[I heard] about, like, 15 to 20 shots,” said James Washington Jr.. “And after awhile, about three minutes later, [there was] police and sirens, and the ambulance.”
His reaction to the shooting?
“I’m like, not again,” Washington said. “I said to myself, not again.”
The shooting happened a street away from a Juneteenth celebration where a number of children were celebrating the day. He said some people were holed up inside the community center sheltering from the incident.
“Everybody was here today to have a good time,” said Norfolk Councilman John “JP” Paige, who was at the Juneteenth celebration. “And because of whatever reason, this is how it ended for some. We have to do better. We have to lean on each other and we have to do some things differently.”
He added that, “unfortunately, this is our reality.”
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
