12 killed after gunman opens fire ‘indiscriminately’ at Virginia Beach office: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A city worker opened fire “indiscriminately” at the Municipal Center in Virginia Beach Friday afternoon, killing at least 12 people before he was shot dead by police in a “long gun battle,” police said.
Eleven of the victims died on the scene and one succumbed to their injuries, Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera said during a press conference Friday night.
An additional four victims were in surgery at local hospitals for their injuries and “others may have self-transported,” Cervera said.
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PHOTO: Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, left, looks on as City Councilman Aaron Rouse, right, comforts Chief of Police James Cervera following a press conference, May 31, 2019 in Virginia Beach, Va. (Kaitlin Mckeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Two law enforcement sources confirmed to ABC News that DeWayne Craddock, 40, is the alleged suspect in the shooting.
Three of the injured patients were at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, with two in critical condition and one in fair condition. Another patient was at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in critical condition, according to Dale Gauding, senior communications adviser for brand engagement at Sentara Healthcare
One of the injured victims is a Virginia Beach Police officer who was saved by his bulletproof vest, Cervera said.
The suspect, who had access to the Municipal Center as a public utilities employee, walked into the building at around 4 p.m. and began to “indiscriminately fire upon all the victims,” Cervera said. There were victims on all three floors of the building, including one outside, who Cervera said was shot before the suspect entered the building.
PHOTO: Virginia Beach Police Officers huddle near the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Nimmo Parkway following a shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, May 31, 2019, in Virginia Beach, Va. (Kaitlin Mckeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
The suspect had two firearms — one long gun and a handgun — law enforcement sources told ABC News.
Four officers responded to the shooting engaged in a “long gun battle” with the suspect, eventually shooting him, Cervera said, noting that the officers likely “stopped the suspect from committing more carnage.”
Responding officers also secured as many victims as they could, Cervera said.
PHOTO: Police work the scene where eleven people were killed during a mass shooting at the Virginia Beach city public works building, May 31, 2019 in Virginia Beach, Va. (L. Todd Spencer/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
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The handgun, a .45-caliber, was found with multiple empty magazines following the gun fight, Cervera said.
The suspect has not yet been identified.
Officials are in the process of identifying the victims, Cervara said, adding that their names would be released once all of their family members were notified.
“This is the most the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer.
PHOTO: Women wait by an entrance to the Virginia Beach Municipal Center on Princess Anne Road following a shooting in the public works building, May 31, 2019 in Virginia Beach, Va. (Kaitlin Mckeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam described the shooting as “unspeakable, senseless violence.”
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“My deepest condolences and prayers go to the families of those who left home this morning and will not return tonight, as well as those who have been injured in this tragedy,” Northam said.
Authorities are asking people to avoid the Municipal Center area. The scene is now secure but it is still active, Cervera said.
PHOTO: An ambulance turns on Nimmo Parkway following a shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, May 31, 2019, in Virginia Beach, Va. (Kaitlin Mckeown/The Virginian-Pilot via AP)
The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and Virginia State Police are assisting in the investigation.
Cervera described the shooting as a “devastating incident” that “will change a lot of lives.”
ABC News’ Alexander Mallin contributed to this report.