Virginia Man Sentenced to 38 Years After Killing Beloved Store Owner in Gunfire Meant for Someone Else
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA — A Norfolk man will spend decades in prison after prosecutors say he unleashed a barrage of gunfire intended for another person — instead killing a beloved 84-year-old convenience store owner who was trying to keep the peace outside his business.
According to the Office of the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, Bruce Hisle, 42, was sentenced Friday to 38 years in prison for the December 2023 shooting death of James Robert Carter, a longtime neighborhood store owner remembered for his kindness and community presence.
Hisle was convicted last summer of second-degree murder, felony homicide, malicious wounding, and multiple firearms offenses.
Argument Outside Store Turns Deadly
The fatal shooting occurred on the evening of December 20, 2023, outside the Triple-C convenience store on Lindenwood Avenue in Norfolk.
Prosecutors said Bruce Hisle and his older brother, Dennis Hisle Jr., were illegally selling liquor out of a van parked across the street from the store. Sitting in the front seat was Tamika Credle, the mother of Bruce Hisle’s children.
Authorities said two men were standing nearby when one — described as intoxicated — confronted Bruce Hisle, questioning why he was wearing a long trench coat and suggesting he was hiding guns underneath.
A second man attempted to de-escalate the situation, speaking calmly with Dennis Hisle. But prosecutors said Bruce Hisle continued arguing and moved toward the front of the van, causing the witness to believe violence was imminent.
As the witness walked away, James Robert Carter, the store owner, stepped outside and told the men to take their dispute elsewhere.
They did not.
Innocent Bystander Struck by Gunfire
Moments later, gunfire erupted. One bullet struck the witness near his ribs, while two bullets hit Carter — one in the torso and another in the face.
Carter collapsed inside his store and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 8:30 p.m. The wounded witness drove himself home and later sought medical treatment.
Investigators determined the shots came from the front of the van, prosecutors said.
Weapon Recovered, Forensics Tie Gun to Killing
After the shooting, Credle drove the Hisle brothers away from the scene. Prosecutors said Bruce Hisle placed a 10mm handgun in the van’s glove compartment.
A witness followed the van, recorded the license plate number, and reported it to police. Authorities stopped and arrested the trio roughly 20 minutes later.
Officers recovered the handgun and a box of matching ammunition from the glove compartment. Investigators later collected 11 spent shell casings from the crime scene.
Forensic testing confirmed:
- The recovered 10mm handgun fired the bullet found in Carter’s body
- The shell casings at the scene were ejected from the same weapon
The firearm had been reported stolen, last seen in the possession of Dennis Hisle.
Brother and Girlfriend Also Convicted
Dennis Hisle Jr. eventually entered a plea agreement after prosecutors identified Bruce Hisle as the shooter. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with another four years suspended, contingent on probation and good behavior.
When Dennis Hisle later refused to testify against his brother during trial, the judge held him in contempt and added six months to his sentence.
Credle initially invoked her Fifth Amendment rights at trial. Prosecutors introduced a recorded police interview in which she told family members, “Bruce shot Mr. Carter” and said he was “shooting just to shoot.”
She was convicted as an accessory after the fact and ultimately sentenced to six months in jail after an unsuccessful appeal.
Sentence Exceeds Guidelines, Prosecutor Says Justice Served
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi said Bruce Hisle’s sentence exceeded state sentencing guidelines, which recommended about 29 years.
“This sentence offers a measure of closure for the family of Mr. Carter,” Fatehi said, calling Carter “a totally innocent bystander” who devoted his life to the community.
Community Remembers a Gentle Shop Owner
Carter was widely described as a fixture in the neighborhood — someone who watched over children and treated customers like family.
Notes left at his memorial read:
- “Thanks for looking out for the kids.”
- “Thanks for always being family.”
Residents told local media Carter “didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”
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