Store clerk injured in shooting outside 7-Eleven in Newport News

According to Newport News police, a store clerk was injured in an accidental shooting outside a 7-Eleven in Midtown Newport News on Wednesday evening.

At around 7:10 p.m., calls came in reporting a shooting at the busy 7-Eleven and Mobil gas station on the corner of Nettles Drive and City Center Boulevard.

Witnesses reported hearing two or three shots.

The man was lying on the curb next to the ice cream machine to the left of the store’s front door. He was taken away by ambulance and his injuries were not life-threatening, according to a press release from Newport News police.

According to police, an argument between the clerk and at least one customer outside the store turned physical. The clerk accidentally fired a firearm he was carrying and sustained injuries, police said.

More than ten police vehicles and at least two fire engines arrived at the scene, took care of the man and cordoned off the crime scene.

Customers said they had recognized the man as an evening employee at the 7-Eleven for two years.

“He’s very friendly to everyone who comes into the store,” said one man who described himself as a regular customer. “He always says, ‘Welcome, nice to see you.’ A lot of people come to the store because of him.”

This man and a couple who live in the neighborhood said they heard a loud argument between a woman and a man before hearing two to three gunshots.

“He’s always trying to keep the peace at the 7-Eleven,” the woman said. “I hope he’s OK. I really hope he’s OK.”

(cq comment=” Michalec said the man’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

No charges have been filed so far and police are “not looking for suspects,” said Matt Michalec, spokesman for the Newport News police.

The case is still under investigation.

Peter Dujardin, 757-897-2062, [email protected]