2019 Virginia Beach shooting
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
| 2019 Virginia Beach shooting | |
|---|---|
| Part of Mass shootings in the United States | |
| |
| Location | Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°45′03″N 76°03′27″W / 36.750938°N 76.057509°W |
| Date | May 31, 2019 4:40 p.m. (EST (UTC−5)) |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Weapon | .45 ACP pistol with suppressor,[1] rifle |
| Deaths | 13+ (including the perpetrator)[1] |
| Injured | 5 |
On May 31, 2019, a mass shooting occurred at a municipal building in Princess Anne, Virginia Beach, Virginia, in the United States, resulting in at least 13 people being killed, including the perpetrator; and five other people being injured.[1][2]
Incident
An active shooter situation at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center was confirmed by the city manager around 4:40 p.m. EST.[3] A police spokesperson stated a shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the Center, which houses the city's public works, utilities, and planning departments.[4] Police Chief James Cervera said the gunman fired indiscriminately.[1][5] The FBI, ATF, and the Department of Homeland Security responded to assist local and state police.[6][7]
A semi-automatic pistol and a rifle were found at the scene. According to a law enforcement official, investigators believe they were used in the shooting, and that the suspect purchased the firearms legally.[8]
Victims
Six people were reported injured in the shooting. Sentara Healthcare reported through Twitter that five people were taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and a sixth patient was taken to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital after the shooting.[9]
Perpetrator
The suspected perpetrator was DeWayne Craddock, a public utilities worker for the city.[1] Some reports allege he was fired from his job the day prior to the shooting.[10] The suspect died after a gunfight with the police.[1]
Reactions
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said, "This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach."[11]
Governor Ralph Northam issued a statement on Twitter saying, "My heart breaks for the victims of this devastating shooting, their families, and all who loved them."[12]
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, who was "devastated to learn of the tragic shooting tonight in Virginia Beach," said that his "heart is with everyone who lost a loved one," and that he was "praying for a swift recovery for all those who have been injured." Kaine later said: "I will keep pushing for Congress to take action to prevent the daily scourge of gun violence in America".[13]
Virgina Beach's U.S. Representative Elaine Luria offered sympathies and thanked "first responders & law enforcement for risking their lives to bring a suspect into custody." She further stated that the incident "is more proof Congress must act to prevent gun violence."[14]
Attorney General of Virginia, Mark Herring, stated: "In recent years there have been mass shootings at American elementary schools, colleges, government buildings, offices, concerts, movie theaters, nightclubs, even churches, mosques, and synagogues. We have to do more to stop this kind of violence."[13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Almasy, Steve; Rebekah Riess (May 31, 2019). "At least 12 dead in Virginia Beach mass shooting at municipal center". CNN. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Parker, Mike Connors, Alissa Skelton, Stacy. "12 dead, 6 injured after shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Virginia Beach shooting: 12 killed, 6 injured; suspect also dead". WAVY.com. May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Finley, Ben. "'Today is Virginia Beach's darkest hour:' 12 killed in shooting at municipal complex; assailant dead". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Staff, National Desk (June 1, 2019). "'We kept hearing gunshots': At least 11 dead, 6 injured after Virginia Beach shooting". KCCI. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ Romero, Dennis. "At least 12 dead, including suspect, in Virginia Beach shooting". NBC News. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ National, Scripps. "12 dead in mass shooting in Virginia Beach Municipal Building". ABC 15. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "12 victims, shooter killed in Virginia Beach mass shooting". WTKR.com. May 31, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ "Live now: 12 victims, shooter killed in Virginia Beach mass shooting". ABC7 Los Angeles. May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Hicks, Amber (May 31, 2019). "Virginia Beach shooting: 11 dead after 'disgruntled worker' goes on gun rampage". Mirror. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Romero, Dennis (May 31, 2019). "At least 12 dead, including suspect, in Virginia Beach shooting". NBC News. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Mele, Christopher (May 31, 2019). "Virginia Beach Shooting: 12 Killed in Rampage at Municipal Center". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ a b "'Unspeakable, senseless violence': 12 killed, suspect dead in Va. Beach shooting". WCSC, Live 5 News. May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ Axelrod, Tal. "Virginia lawmakers respond to shooting: 'My heart breaks for ... our entire commonwealth'". The Hill. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
