In the city of Norfolk, Virginia, a man known as a pillar of his community, 84-year-old James 'Pops' Carter, was fatally shot on the evening of December 20, 2023. Carter, a male, was the owner of Triple C Convenience store on Lindenwood Avenue, a place where he was considered a father figure and a mentor to generations. On that Wednesday night, a dispute broke out among several individuals in front of his store.
Carter, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and clear the area, was shot as he was returning to the entrance of his business. He was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Another man was also wounded in the shooting but was expected to survive.
The death of James Carter sent shockwaves through the Lindenwood neighborhood and the wider Norfolk community, leading to an outpouring of grief and tributes. A memorial of flowers, balloons, and candles quickly grew outside his store, a testament to the many lives he had touched through his kindness and generosity. Friends and family remembered him as a hardworking man who had previously worked for the railroad and as a longshoreman before becoming a beloved local business owner. His son, Dwayne Carter, spoke of his father's significant impact, stating he 'fed a lot of folks. He raised a lot of folks.'
The Norfolk Police Department swiftly launched an investigation, and within two days, three suspects were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. The individuals taken into custody were 42-year-old Dennis Hisle, 40-year-old Bruce Hisle, and 41-year-old Tamika Credle. Initially, Dennis Hisle was charged with second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and two counts of use of a firearm. Bruce Hisle was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of ammunition by a felon, while Tamika Credle was charged with accessory after the fact, accused of driving the getaway car.
As the legal process unfolded, the charges were later amended. The second-degree murder charge was transferred from Dennis Hisle to his brother, Bruce Hisle. During Bruce Hisle's trial, prosecutors presented evidence that he fired 11 shots during the argument, with four of those striking and killing James Carter. In August 2025, a jury found Bruce Hisle guilty of second-degree murder and three other felony charges. He faces a lengthy prison sentence. Dennis Hisle was ultimately convicted on firearms-related charges, and Tamika Credle was convicted as an accessory after the fact. The convictions brought a measure of closure to a grieving family and a community that had lost a cherished elder.
