VIRGINIA BEACH – Virginia Beach Police Chief Jim Cervera says 12 people were killed and six injured in a shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center Friday afternoon.
Cervera says the shooter is also dead and is believed to be a disgruntled employee, who worked for city’s Public Utilities Department.
One of the victims is a Virginia Beach police officer. Chief Cervera says the officer’s bulletproof vest saved his life.
Police say they found victims on three floors of the building, and one was found shot in a car outside the building.
At a news conference Friday night Cervera said four victims were still in surgery.
He said the shooter used a .45 caliber handgun with a suppressor, and a long gun battle erupted between the shooter and four police officers.
Police have not released the name of the suspect or any of the victims.
City and state officials are reacting to the shooting.
A “horrific day for Virginia.” @GovernorVA Ralph Northam arrives in Virginia Beach after Friday’s mass shooting at the #VirginiaBeach Municipal Center. 11 people were killed and the six are injured. The shooter is also dead. https://t.co/wPSlx7mgpO pic.twitter.com/92eCRrmMcy
— WAVY TV 10 (@WAVY_News) May 31, 2019
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer called it the “most devastating day” in the city’s history.
City Councilman Aaron Rouse said the shooting will not define the city. “We will come together. We show the strength of our city,” he said.
