VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A man is in critical condition after being assaulted at the Fairfield Shopping Center in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach Police Department reported that the unprovoked attack occurred at approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday. A suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
The suspect has been identified as 34-year-old Walter Martinez, who is now facing felony charges of aggravated malicious assault. Residents and shoppers in the area expressed shock at the violent incident, emphasizing that the shopping center is located in a typically quiet neighborhood.
Eyewitnesses described the aftermath of the assault, with one Kempsville High School student recounting a distressing scene of a man covered in blood next to a truck in the parking lot. Virginia Beach police have not released the identity of the victim and stated that they cannot disclose the details or motive behind the assault due to the ongoing investigation.
Online records from the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office indicate that Martinez is being held without bond. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about the incident to contact the Crime Line by calling 1-888-562-5887 or by using P3 Tips online.
As the victim remains in critical condition, the community is left seeking answers and hoping for a swift resolution to the investigation. The shocking assault has left many in the area concerned about safety and security at the shopping center, raising questions about what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The police department continues to urge anyone with relevant information to come forward in order to assist with the ongoing investigation.