Virginia Beach mass shooting updates are expected at 3 p.m.
Watch the full video:
Here’s what you need to know:
The Guns Used in the Shooting Were Legally Purchased
DeWayne Craddock used two guns in the Virginia Beach mass shooting. Both were .45-caliber pistols, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan Benedict. One was purchased in 2016, and the other was purchased in 2018. Both were owned by Craddock.
Investigators found an additional two guns at his home. Officers verified one was purchased legally by Craddock. They are still in the process of verifying the purchase of the second gun.
Ballistics tests will determine whether the weapons were connected to any other shootings, said Benedict.
Craddock lived alone, Virginia Beach Police Chief James A. Cervera said.
11 of the 12 Virginia Beach Mass Shooting Victims were City Employees
The front page of today’s @virginianpilot
Officials released the names of the 12 Virginia Beach shooting victims at a morning press conference.
Here they are. The 12 people taken from this world so tragically yesterday. I remember seeing one of these victims being carried out yesterday by first responders. They were working so hard to save them. My heart is completely broken. Prayers for their families 🙏🏾💔
They focused on the 12 victims, mentioning the name of the suspect, DeWayne Craddock, only once.
Craddock died following a lengthy gun battle with police that left one officer injured. Fortunately, said Virginia Beach Police Chief James A. Cervera, the officer was “saved by his vest.” Four police officers immediately responded to the shooting. They included two “seasoned detectives” and two K-9 officers.
Craddock was a longtime public utilities employee. He was armed with a .45-caliber handgun equipped with a silencer. He also had extended magazines, which he repeatedly reloaded. The magazines were found empty, Cervera said.
Gunshots riddled Building 2 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center Friday afternoon, as the victims were preparing to end their work week.
UPDATES on the mass shooting in Virginia Beach:
– Gunman officially identified as DeWayne Craddock
– Gunman was still employed by the city, had badge to enter the building
– Multiple weapons were found at the scene and within the gunman’s home
– No official motive
“There’s no way to describe an incident such as this,” Cervera said at the first press conference. No chief of police anywhere in the country, no mayor, no city manager, no assistant city manager, no fire chief, no rescue chief ever wants to have stand up and give information such as this,” Cervera said. “I think at this particular point, I want to give the utmost respect to the victims and to their families because they are going to be forever changed based on this particular incident.”
Eleven of the 12 victims were employees of the city of Virginia Beach.
Live updates:
“This morning I have the responsibility to inform friends, coworkers and the public of those who lost their lives yesterday,” said Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen. “All but one of the 12 victims were employees of the city of Virginia Beach,” he said. “I have worked with most of them for many years.”
The final victim was a contractor who was in the office to secure a permit.
Incredible interview by @NSBonsu_ detailing what it was like for employees who were inside the building during the shooting.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene in the building. One witness told NBC 12 she heard gunshots and people screaming to “get down!” She and her colleagues barricaded themselves in their office. Her supervisor yelled to her to call 911. Another witness recounted seeing an officer covered with blood.
12 Victims Were Killed. Here are Their Names
City of Virginia BeachSome of the Virginia Beach shooting victims. From left, clockwise: Ryan Keith Cox, Alexander Gusev, Katherine Nixon, Mary Louise Gayle.
Laquita C. Brown, Chesapeake
Tara Welch Gallagher, Virginia Beach
Mary Louise Gayle, Virginia Beach
Alexander Mikhail Gusev, Virginia Beach
Katherine A. Nixon, Virginia Beach
City of Virginia BeachSome of the Virginia Beach shooting victims From left, clockwise: Richard Nettleton, LaQuita Brown, Christopher Rapp, and Joshua Hardy.
Richard H. Nettleton, Norfolk
Christopher Kelly Rapp, Powhatan
Ryan Keith Cox, Virginia Beach
City of Virginia BeachSome of the Virginia Beach shooting victims. From left, clockwise: Herbert Bert Snelling, Tara Welch Gallagher, Robert “Bobby” Williams, and Michelle “Missy” Langer.
Joshua A. Hardy, Virginia Beach
Michelle “Missy” Langer, Virginia Beach
Robert “Bobby” Williams, Chesapeake
Herbert “Bert” Snelling, Virginia Beach