WOODBRIDGE, Va. — A routine evening at Potomac Mills turned deadly Tuesday after a 34-year-old Alexandria man was shot and killed in the shopping center’s parking lot. The tragic incident has left shoppers shaken and a community searching for answers as police work to track down the suspect.
According to the Prince William County Police Department, officers were dispatched around 7:09 p.m. on February 24 after receiving reports of a shooting at the popular retail destination. When police arrived, they located the victim, identified as Baffour Asare Gundona, suffering from a gunshot wound inside the parking lot area.
Investigators determined that the shooting stemmed from an altercation that took place inside a vehicle. During the dispute, Gundona was shot while still inside the car. Authorities said he was able to exit the vehicle after being wounded but collapsed nearby in the parking lot. The scene quickly filled with flashing lights as officers secured the area and began providing aid.
Police immediately rendered first aid to Gundona until rescue personnel arrived. He was transported to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the life-saving efforts of both officers and medical staff, Gundona later succumbed to his injuries. His death has officially been classified as a homicide.
Authorities said the suspect fled the scene in a separate vehicle before officers arrived. At this time, no arrests have been made, and detectives continue to actively investigate the case. Police emphasized that the shooting does not appear to have been random, indicating that those involved likely knew one another.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness statements as they work to piece together exactly what led to the fatal confrontation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Prince William County Police Department at 703-792-7000 or submit an anonymous tip through the department’s website. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Baffour Asare Gundona, whose life was tragically cut short in a place meant for shopping and family outings.
