A fatal early-morning shooting at a Rocky Mount convenience store ended one life and left the community searching for answers. At about 2:30 a.m. on February 26, 2023, police responded to reports of gunfire at the Shell Food Mart at 1350 West Raleigh Boulevard. Officers found 25-year-old Nhazavias Ja’Quez Coppedge dead at the scene and 22-year-old Zakiya Jones with non-life-threatening injuries; she was treated at a local hospital and released.

The Rocky Mount Police Department described the incident as appearing isolated and appealed to anyone with information to come forward. Anyone who was in or near the Shell Food Mart that morning or has relevant information is asked to contact investigators.?