MIAMI - A tragic incident occurred at a Wawa gas station Sunday night, leaving one man dead and another critically injured. At approximately 9 p.m., police responded to reports of two individuals found inside a car at the Wawa located at 112th Avenue and 248th Street. Earlier, authorities had received alerts from ShotSpotter indicating gunfire around 265th Street and 138th Court, but no victims were found at the time.
Just minutes before the police arrived, a good Samaritan had reported the two victims inside the vehicle. Despite efforts by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue to provide aid, one victim, identified as 37-year-old J.D. Jones Jr., was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, a 25-year-old man whose identity has not been revealed, was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, where he is currently reported to be in stable condition.
Detective Andre Martin of the Miami-Dade Police emphasized the isolated nature of the shooting, stating, "There is no subject description at this time, we do believe this is an isolated incident, and the shooting did not occur at this gas station," as reported by CBS News Miami. Authorities are actively seeking anyone with information related to the incident.
Meanwhile, another incident involving Wawa garnered attention when KerryAnn Wiltshire reported the theft of her beloved puppy, Benji, this past Friday. Wiltshire and her boyfriend had stopped at the Wawa near Ritchie Station Shopping Center to refuel and use the restroom during their road trip from New York to North Carolina. They locked their black Nissan Altima with Benji, their 3-month-old Peekapoo, inside.
Upon their return, they witnessed a masked man jumping inside their vehicle and speeding away. "He’s tiny, very loving," Wiltshire said, expressing her anguish not merely for the stolen car but for the loss of her pet. The car was later recovered, but all personal belongings, including items worth thousands of dollars, were missing.
"The most important thing in the vehicle was not a thing, it was my son Benji, my dog," Wiltshire lamented, according to local Maryland news reports. She expressed hope for Benji's safe return, emphasizing the emotional connection her children, ages 5, 7, and 9, have with the puppy.
While these incidents raise serious concerns about safety around Wawa locations, the company is also focusing on expansion plans. A new Wawa store is set to open at 1071 Wayne Ave. in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, by 2025. This establishment is part of Wawa's larger vision announced last year to open over 40 new locations by 2027, targeting central Pennsylvania for growth. The coming store will feature 5,330 square feet of space alongside 12 gas pump bays, providing convenience and service to local residents.
"We are excited about this expansion and what it means for the community," Wawa representatives shared, underlining the significance of such developments.
Upcoming projects, like the renovation of the Southgate Mall and the construction of housing and business spaces throughout Franklin County, reflect broader growth trends similar to Wawa's expansion. With so much happening within the community, it will be interesting to see how these safety concerns and development efforts will coalesce to shape the future of local areas.
The incidents involving Wawa highlight not only safety concerns but also the company's integral role within numerous communities. Wawa remains popular among consumers, often celebrated for its food and convenience, yet these recent events remind us of the urgent need for safety and security as businesses expand.
