On a late Sunday evening in Newport News, Virginia, the life of 37-year-old Karen Yvonne Watkins was tragically cut short. Just before 11:30 p.m. on May 25, 2025, the sound of gunfire pierced the night in the area of 27th Street and Wickham Avenue. A ShotSpotter activation alerted the Newport News Police Department to the shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Watkins suffering from at least one gunshot wound. She was rushed to a local hospital, but tragically, she succumbed to her injuries.
Neighbors reported hearing approximately three gunshots followed by the sound of a car speeding away from the scene. The sudden violence left the community shaken. In the days that followed, what was known about Karen Yvonne Watkins painted a picture of a beloved mother, daughter, and friend. Her kindness, warm smile, and genuine spirit had left a lasting impression on those who knew her. She was a mother to two sons and a daughter, and her love for her children was described as unmatched.
The investigation into her death, which marked the ninth homicide in the city that year, led to a significant development nearly three weeks later. On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Newport News police arrested 29-year-old Benjamin Forrest Carter of Newport News in connection with the fatal shooting. Carter was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and several weapons offenses. While an arrest has been made, the motive for the shooting has not been released.
