12 killed by in Mass Shooting at Virginia Beach Municipal Building

By Staff- Agencies

Twelve people have been killed and several more injured, including a police officer, when a disgruntled city employee opened fire in a municipal building in Virginia Beach. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police.

Police Chief Jim Cervera identified the suspect as a “long-time employee of public utilities.” Armed with a .45-caliber handgun equipped with a sound suppressor and extended magazines, the suspect shot one victim in a car outside and entered the municipal building shortly after 4 pm local time. Once inside, he began to “indiscriminately fire,” hitting victims on all three floors of the building.

When two “seasoned detectives” and two K-9 officers arrived on the scene, following the sound of gunfire to locate the suspect, he shot at the officers, injuring one. The gunman was killed when police returned fire and “stopped him from committing more carnage,” Cervera said

“This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” Mayor Bobby Dyer told reporters.

Police conducted a floor-to-floor search of the building to check for victims and to ensure there were no additional suspects. Footage from local media outlets showed traumatized employees and members of the public evacuating the building. The FBI provided assistance to local authorities.