PORTSMOUTH — A convenience store clerk fatally shot a man Thursday following an altercation at the business, according to police.

The shooting happened shortly before 2:30 p.m. at the Essex Food Store on High Street, police said.

Employees told officers the man was attempting to steal items from the store, and was shot after he got into an altercation with them. The man, 27-year-old Rahsaan Nixon, was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Portsmouth police spokeswoman Elexcia Washington confirmed that Nixon was shot by a store employee, whom police did not identify. No charges have been filed and the incident remains under investigation, she said. Store employees declined to comment Friday.

The shooting was one of two in Portsmouth on the July Fourth holiday. The second occurred Thursday night, following an altercation between two adult males, police said. An arrest warrant has been issued for Randall Bagley Jr., 47, in that incident.

“It is unfortunate that violence continues to afflict communities nationwide, even during festive occasions like the Fourth of July, and Portsmouth is no exception,” Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said in a statement Friday.

Anyone with information about either shooting is asked to contact the department’s investigations bureau at 757–393–8536. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP, or at **TIPS (**8477). Anonymous tips also can be submitted through the Crime Line’s “P3 Tips” app or at www.portscrimeline.com. Tips that lead to an arrest could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com