North Carolina man dies after workplace shooting in Isle of Wight County; suspect at large, police say

Isle of Wight Co. — Police are looking for a 23-year-old man in connection with a workplace shooting that killed a man Thursday in Isle of Wight County.

Officials said Preston Kyle Thomas, 23, of Isle of Wight County, is being charged with second-degree murder.

Police said a fight broke out between Thomas and another temporary employee before Thomas allegedly shot the other man.

Dispatchers received a call shortly after 2:20 p.m. about a shooting at a Safco Products distribution center in Windsor at 12400 Safco Way.

Isle of Wight deputies and Windsor police found 26-year-old Rakim Breedin, of Hertford County, North Carolina, had been shot. Breedin died from his injuries while being transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, according to Captain Tommy Potter, an Isle of Wight Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

Police attempted to “make contact” with Thomas for roughly five hours at Eagle Harbor Apartments in Carrollton, off Carrollton Boulevard. Police said his last known address was at the apartment complex.

As of 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Isle of Wight deputies and Windsor police concluded their search at the apartment complex after tactical units with Virginia State Police searched the residences where Thomas was suspected to have barricaded himself inside.

Thomas is known to spend time in Isle of Wight, Newport News and Hampton, Potter said.

Police ask anyone with information to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, or submit an anonymous on the P3 Tips app.

Sierra Jenkins, 229-462-8896, sierra.jenkins@virginiamedia.com