Tuesday afternoon Benjamin Willis gathered with several people to talk in front of an apartment building on Prospect Avenue.
But conversation was cut short when an unidentified man approached the group, reached around several people and fired a handgun several times at Willis, hitting him at least once, said Charlottesville Police Sgt. Michael Farruggio.
After being shot, Willis made his way across the street, where he soon died.
The shooter immediately fled the scene, police said.
The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. near Blue Ridge Commons apartment number 770.
This was the third gun-related incident reported in as many days near Prospect Avenue, which parallels 5th Street near Tonsler Park.
Early Sunday morning, two men were shot while walking on Prospect Avenue.
The third shooting incident occurred early Monday morning when an unknown attacker fired several times at a building near Blue Ridge Commons.
Farruggio said Charlottesville police are investigating whether there is a connection between the three incidents.
He said the series of incidents did not necessarily mark an unusual rise in the area's crime.
"It just so happens in the past few days these three things have happened," he said.
There were several witnesses to Tuesday's shooting, and Farruggio indicated that police have a suspect for the killing.
However, Charlottesville police had not named a suspect or issued any warrants yesterday.
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