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Virginia Beach Harris Teeter employee found shot inside store; police release photo of person of interest

Posted at 4:23 AM, Oct 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-03 17:37:34-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Police are looking for three suspects in connection with an attempted robbery and shooting at a Harris Teeter that left one man injured.

Person of interest

According to police, three black men entered the grocery store on Wednesday morning around 12:45 a.m. and attempted to rob the store.

The robbery was unsuccessful and the suspects left on foot.

"I've never heard of any Harris Teeter getting robbed, especially in this area. It's like really surprising because there's usually police posted right out here by the Wawa and everything," shopper Josh Barnes told News 3. "It's just really surprising."

Responding police officers located a male employee inside the store, suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

All three male suspects were wearing masks on their faces. Police said one man was armed with a gun.

Raquel Phillips said, "There's actually been quite a few times that I've come here late at night to shop, so to hear that late at night there was an attempted robbery in our neighborhood is just really really scary."

"I've always had that fear like somebody's going to rob the store when I'm in there," mentioned Barnes. "I try to do my shopping really quick, especially if i'm doing it at night."

After an initial investigation, police released a picture of a man they said is a person of interest. They are looking for the man who was last seen in a grey t-shirt with what looks to be headphones around his neck.

Harris Teeter announced they will be changing the hours for this location, effective immediately. The new hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Eddie Sal said he shops at the store often and is disappointed to hear it's no longer 24 hours.

"I do more shopping at night because I work nights. When I get off of work I do grocery shopping because there's nobody here and it would make sense to come when there's nobody here," Sal said. "I'm glad I wasn't here."

Detectives ask that anyone with information on this incident call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887).