WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Editor's Note: This video is from June 2022 about the Senate's gun safety bill.
A woman was shot and killed early Friday morning in Woodbridge, sparking a homicide investigation, according to police.
Prince William County Police responded to a wooded area behind a 7-Eleven, located on Jefferson Davis Highway, around 4:30 a.m. after a report of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers found the woman suffering from gunshot wounds. The unidentified victim was pronounced dead at the scene by rescue personnel.
No additional victims or property damage were located through the initial investigation into the shooting. The police department also did not receive any additional gunshot calls from the area during the time of the incident.
Many day laborers frequent the store to find a job on a daily basis. A few of them told WUSA9 the victim's first name was Claudia, originally from Guatemala. The workers and the store clerk said she could be seen standing near the intersection selling items including water bottles to make money.
"She was a very nice lady," store clerk Mohammad Majid said. "She'd buy the water case and sell for people in summertime because it's hot."
Her death, the eighth homicide in Prince William County, has only intensified concerns from nearby business owners who worry about the alleged crime activity in and around the same wooded area.
"I'm losing my business and if it continues, you're going to see me in the corner asking for money, too," restaurant owner Tino Rea added.
Business owners stress the problem is not coming from people seeking a job.
"There's a lot of gang activity around here and drug stuff," one unidentified worker added. "Police know but they got to do something about it."
Homicide detectives are actively investigating to determine what led up to the shooting and are trying to speak with anyone who has information on what happened.
Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a web tip to: pwcva.gov/policetip.