NATIONAL NEWS

Police: We’ll Only Mention Suspect’s Name Once

May 31, 2019, 9:00 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:06 pm

File photo

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — The Latest on a shooting at a municipal center in Virginia Beach (all times local):

10:45 p.m.

Virginia Beach police say they have identified the suspect in a shooting that left 12 dead but have not released his name because they haven’t been able to notify family members.

Police Chief James Cervera said when he does release the name, it will be only once. He said after that, “he will be forever referred to as the suspect because our focus now is the dignity and respect to the victims in this case and to their families.”

Cervera said the suspect was a longtime employee of the Public Utilities Department.

____

10 p.m.

Police say the victims of a shooting at a Virginia Beach municipal center were found on three floors and one victim was shot in car outside the building.

Police Chief James Cervera gave the details in a Friday night news conference, hours after the shooting, which killed 12 people.

He also says four shooting victims are undergoing surgery.

He says a long gun battle erupted between the shooter and four police officers. Police aren’t naming the suspect, who was killed as authorities returned fire.

___

9:55 p.m.

The death toll from a shooting at a Virginia Beach municipal center has increased to 12.

Police Chief James Cervera says the 12th victim in the Friday shooting died on the way to the hospital. He gave the latest details on the incident in a news conference.

He said officials won’t be releasing the name of the suspect, who was killed by authorities returning fire.

The police chief says the gunman used .45-caliber handgun with a suppressor. Unlike some states, silencers are legal in Virginia, though it is illegal to have one in Virginia Beach per local ordinance.

___

8:30 p.m.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says he is devastated by the shooting that left 11 dead at a Virginia Beach municipal center and is offering the state’s full support to shooting survivors and relatives of the victims.

Northam said in a statement that he was in Virginia Beach with law enforcement officials. He said the entire state is “devastated by the tragic shooting” and he decried the “unspeakable, senseless violence.”

The White House issued a statement saying that President Donald Trump had been briefed on the shooting “and continues to monitor the situation.”

Democratic presidential hopefuls New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker; South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg; and California Sen. Kamala Harris, were also among those who condemned the shooting Friday.

___

8:20 p.m.

Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams says he is praying for his city and all of the victims of a shooting that left 11 people dead.

Williams recently held a three-day music festival in the city. On Friday, a city employee opened fire at a municipal center miles from the beaches and the downtown business area. Eleven people were killed before police fatally shot the suspect.

Williams noted the city’s resilience, and said its people will “come out of this stronger than before.”

___

8 p.m.

Survivors of a mass shooting at a Virginia Beach municipal center are reuniting with friends and relatives at a middle school.

Paul Swain was among those who arrived at the Princess Anne Middle School to reunite with loved ones who were in the municipal building during the shooting.

Swain said he saw his fiancee across the parking lot, clearly in an agitated state. He said he thinks she knew some of the people who were hurt or killed.

The school’s parking lot was filled with police and civilian vehicles.

___

6:55 p.m.

Police say 11 people have been killed and six others injured in a mass shooting at a municipal building in Virginia Beach.

Police Chief James Cervera said Friday that a shooter opened fire and shot “indiscriminately” at workers inside an operations building in the Virginia Beach Municipal Building Friday afternoon.

Cervera said police returned fire, killing the suspect. He said the suspect was a longtime employee of the city’s Public Works Department. One of the people shot is a police officer.

___

6:40 p.m.

Hospital officials say six people have been wounded in a shooting at a municipal center in Virginia Beach.

Sentara Healthcare said on its Twitter account that five people were taken to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and a sixth patient was taken to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital after the shooting just after 4 p.m. Friday. The company said the sixth patient was being transferred to the Level 1 Trauma Center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Virginia Beach police said a suspect was taken into custody after the shooting. They said they believe there was only one shooter.

___

5:11 p.m.

Police in Virginia Beach say a shooting at a municipal center has left multiple people wounded. They say a suspect has been taken into custody after Friday afternoon’s shooting and they believe there was only one shooter.

There was no immediate word on the extent of injuries.

KSL 5 TV Live

National News

ROHNERT PARK, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: In an aerial view, a sign is posted on the exterior of a Red L...

Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN

What went wrong at Red Lobster

All you can eat shrimp, might be the downfall of the seafood restaurant chain that is considering bankruptcy.

9 hours ago

The loose zebra that's in King County in Washington....

Gene Johnson, Associated Press

Zebra remains on the loose in Washington state as officials close trailheads

A zebra that escaped from a trailer east of Seattle last weekend remained on the lam Friday.

9 hours ago

This image from remote video released by the U.S. Air Force shows Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall...

Tara Copp, Associated Press

AI-controlled fighter jet took the Air Force leader for a historic ride. What that means for war

An experimental F-16 fighter jet has taken a history-making flight controlled by artificial intelligence with an AI-controlled fleet planned.

12 hours ago

FILE PHOTO...

Christina Larson, AP Science Writer

Debris of Halley’s comet peaks this weekend in meteor shower; Here’s how to see it

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks this weekend. Astronomers say it should be visible. It should be visible.

13 hours ago

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 2: Protesters deface a car after a counter-protester drove towards the crowd...

Associated Press

Police detain driver who accelerated toward protesters at Portland State University in Oregon

Police say they have detained the driver of a white Toyota Camry who briefly accelerated toward a crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Portland State University in Oregon.

14 hours ago

(Maklay62 from Pixabay)...

Associated Press

Massachusetts woman wins $1 million lottery twice in 10 weeks

A Massachusetts woman has won $1 million twice on lottery tickets in the last 10 weeks.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Police: We’ll Only Mention Suspect’s Name Once