In the summer of 2019, the city of Norfolk, Virginia, was rocked by a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a beloved community member. On the evening of July 1st, 54-year-old Rodney Epps was fatally shot outside the Happy Shopper convenience store on Campostella Road. Emergency dispatchers received a call about a person with a gunshot wound at 9:48 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Epps, who had been shot and died from his injuries.
Two other individuals were also wounded in the shooting; a woman who declined medical treatment at the scene, and a 20-year-old man who was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The community was left in shock and mourning. Epps was a familiar and friendly face to many who frequented the Happy Shopper. Described by his sister as a 'lovable, peaceful, community man,' he was known for his willingness to help others, often taking out the trash and assisting in any way he could at the store. Regular customers remembered him for his daily greetings, often a wave or a fist bump, and expressed their shock that he could be the victim of such a violent act. His sister recalled how their family waited near the crime scene until the early morning hours, desperate for answers about what had happened to their loved one.
In the days that followed the tragic shooting, the Norfolk Police Department worked diligently to bring those responsible to justice. Their investigation led to the arrests of two individuals, Hannah Moore and Dajuan May-Daily, who were charged in connection with the murder of Rodney Epps. The arrests brought a small measure of solace to a community grieving the loss of a man known for his kind heart and ever-present smile.
