DeWayne Craddock opened fire at a municipal building in the Princess Anne area of Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States, on May 31, 2019, resulting in 13 people being killed, including the perpetrator who was killed by police; and five other people being injured. An active shooter situation at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center was confirmed by the city manager around 4:40 p.m. on May 31, 2019. A police spokesperson stated a shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the Center, which houses the city's public works, utilities, and planning departments. Police Chief James Cervera said the gunman fired indiscriminately. The FBI, the ATF, and the Department of Homeland Security responded to assist local and state police. A semi-automatic pistol and a rifle were found at the scene. According to a law enforcement official, investigators believe they were used in the shooting, and that the suspect purchased the firearms legally.Six people were initialy reported injured in the shooting. Sentara Healthcare reported through Twitter 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.[8] A few hours later, it was reported that one injured had died on the way to the hospital and four that had been transported to local hospitals were under surgery. As a result, 13 people died in the shooting, including the perpetrator. Police identified the perpetrator as DeWayne Craddock, a public utilities worker for the city.[3] Some reports allege that he was fired from his job the day prior to the shooting. The suspect died after a gunfight with the police.
Virginia's governor, Ralph Northam issued a statement on Twitter saying, "My heart breaks for the victims of this devastating shooting, their families, and all who loved them."[12] The state's attorney general, Mark Herring said, "In recent years there have been mass shootings at American elementary schools, colleges, government buildings, offices, concerts, movie theaters, nightclubs, even churches, mosques, and synagogues. We have to do more to stop this kind of violence." Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said, "This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach."
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine said that his "heart is with everyone who lost a loved one," and that he was "praying for a swift recovery for all those who have been injured." He promised to "keep pushing for Congress to take action to prevent the daily scourge of gun violence in America."[13] Likewise, U.S. Senator Mark Warner said that he would pray "for the swift recovery of those injured" as he thanked law enforcement for their response.[15] U.S. Representative Elaine Luria, who represents Virginia Beach, offered sympathies and thanked "first responders and law enforcement for risking their lives to bring a suspect into custody." She further stated that the incident "is more proof Congress must act to prevent gun violence."
