In the early hours of February 26, 2023, a tragic shooting occurred at the Shell Food Mart located at 1350 West Raleigh Boulevard in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. At approximately 2:30 a.m., police responded to reports of gunfire and discovered two victims at the scene. Nhazavias Ja'Quez Coppedge, a 25-year-old man, was pronounced dead upon the officers' arrival. Alongside him, 22-year-old Zakiya Jones sustained injuries but was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening wounds; she was later treated and released.
The Rocky Mount Police Department indicated that the incident appeared to be isolated, suggesting no immediate threat to the broader public. Despite this, the community was left in shock, mourning the loss of a young life and concerned about the circumstances leading to such violence. Authorities urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
As of now, there have been no public reports detailing arrests or identifying suspects connected to the shooting. The lack of updates has left many questions unanswered, with the community seeking justice for Coppedge and safety assurances for its residents. The Rocky Mount Police Department continues to investigate the case, appealing to the public for any information that might shed light on the events of that fateful morning.
