VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (WAVY) — Virginia Beach police said six people were shot early Thursday morning at the Oceanfront.
Police spokesperson Tonya Pierce said they found the first person shot around 12:30 a.m. on Atlantic Avenue, near 18th and 19th streets. Five more victims were found nearby at 20th Street and Pacific Avenue.
During the investigation, police blocked a section of 18th and 19th Street on both Atlantic and Pacific Avenue. Also, the 19th Street Municipal parking lot was taped-off.
Pierce said all six went to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
People who spoke with WAVY said this is not how they planned to end their Independence Day celebrations.
A man who spoke off camera said he heard the gunshots and saw two people on the ground in front of the Bargain Beachwear shop on Atlantic and two more people close to 19th Street. He said he believes the victims were shot in their legs.
Bullet casings and clothes were spotted on the ground outside of the shop as police investigated.
Pierce said detectives believe the shooting started in the 1800 block of Atlantic Avenue. The shooting is believed to have been random, and not a targeted attack.
Witnesses and victims in the shooting could not identify suspects, according to Pierce.
This comes after two people were shot early Wednesday morning in another area of Atlantic Avenue. One of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries, with the other was grazed by a bullet.
Thursday’s incident was part of a violent night across Hampton Roads in which a total of 11 people were shot — including eight in Virginia Beach.
Two other gunshot victims showed up at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital around 2 a.m. Thursday. It was unknown whether this was related to the incident at the Oceanfront.
A man was shot to death late Wednesday night on Watts Avenue in Portsmouth. Norfolk police were called to investigate gunshot victims who were reported minutes apart on Thursday.
One of the shootings happened on Greenbrier Avenue near Naval Station Norfolk just after midnight. It was not clear where the second shooting happened, but a person went to Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center with a gunshot wound.
Stay with WAVY.com for the latest developments.
