Newport News Man Benjamin Forrest Carter Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting on Wickham Avenue

Newport News Man Benjamin Forrest Carter Arrested in Connection with Fatal Shooting on Wickham Avenue

NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA — Benjamin Forrest Carter, a 29-year-old resident of Newport News, was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Karen Yvonne Watkins.

According to the Newport News Police Department, Carter was taken into custody without incident on Saturday. Authorities say the incident occurred on May 25, 2025, at the intersection of 27th Street and Wickham Avenue, where officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and found Watkins suffering from a gunshot wound.

Watkins was transported to a hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. Carter is currently facing charges of first-degree murder and several weapons offenses related to the incident.