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Air Force retiree accused of fatally shooting customer inside James City County Farm Fresh

Posted at 10:44 AM, Apr 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-18 10:11:51-04

James City County, Va. - A 34-year-old man is dead after police say he was shot to death inside of a Farm Fresh store in James City County on Sunday.

"To hear about a shooting here, it’s just unbelievable," customer Charles McAllister said.

At around 8:05 a.m., police were called out to the Farm Fresh on 115 Norge Lane.

They say Air Force retiree Brian Alexander Hicks, 55, was armed with a .45 caliber handgun and had two other loaded magazines in his pocket.

Brian Hicks is accused of shooting another man inside of a Farm Fresh in James City County

Brian Hicks is accused of shooting another man inside of a Farm Fresh in James City County

The victim was identified as Gabriel Ryan Maness of Providence Forge.

Police say Maness was shopping in the store when Hicks shot him several times.

Hicks has been charged with 2nd-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He is now being held at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail without bond.

Police do not have a motive in this case. They say it does not appear that the two men knew each other or if there was an argument prior to the shooting.

“We’re just as puzzled as everyone here," James City County Deputy Police Chief Steve Rubino said.

There were customers and employees inside the store at the time.

The store is now closed as officers investigate.

“It’s the kind of neighborhood - you just never expect to hear there’s a shooting at the Farm Fresh you go shopping at," customer Ann Collins said.

No other details have been released.

NewsChannel 3 will continue to update this story as we learn more.