News

By Gary A. Harki and Katherine Hafner
Staff writers | Jun 1, 2019

VIRGINIA BEACH

Thirty-five minutes.

That’s all the time it took for a gunman to end 12 lives and lose his own.

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer may have called the tragedy at Municipal Building 2 Friday the city’s darkest hour, but there was some light — the heroism of the officers who ran into gunfire to save lives.

Police scanner traffic archived online gives a minute-by-minute account of how the worst mass shooting in the city’s history unfolded.

The first sign of trouble came in about 4:08 p.m.

“One down, gunshot wound 2405 Courthouse Drive Building 2,” a dispatcher says. “Caller is advising of a male in front of building 2, possibly shot.”

Sirens wail on the scanner and a dispatcher notes that someone is still firing.

A minute later a victim is spotted on a stairwell in the back of the building. An officer wants clarification — there’s a victim and an active shooter?

“Still actively hearing gunshots.”

Virginia Beach police scanner audio from 3:49 to 4:18 p.m. documents the terror as initial reports of gunfire at the Municipal Center come in.

Around 4:11 p.m. four plainclothes detectives arrive.

“Do we have any idea where the shooter is at,” says a shaky voice on the scanner. “I’m going in.”

“Southside of the building,” another responds.

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On May 31, 2019, evil took the lives of 12 innocent people, seriously injured 4 others and traumatized countless others in a senseless act of violence at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.  On behalf of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board of the Virginia Beach Police Foundation, we want to express our sincere sympathy to all of those impacted by this incident, including their families.

At the same time, we express our extreme pride, gratitude and amazement at the response to the mass shooting by the members of the Virginia Beach Police Department, as well as to the members of the Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach EMS and Virginia Beach E-911 Center.  Our police officers and tactical medics rushed towards the gunfire to protect others, and in doing so undoubtedly saved others from injury or death.  That tragedy will not define our great City, yet your actions clearly define you.  You each exemplify VB STRONG.

Even though we know from our long association with the Virginia Beach Police Department that its members routinely perform their duties with valor and heroism, we are in awe of your actions and heroics on that dark day.  We are proud to stand beside you, and we are ready to assist you in any way possible as you work through the after effects of the horrors of that day and the trauma you experienced. 

You are not alone.  We have your back.

Linwood O. Branch,                                         Jake Jacocks,

President                                                           Past-president