Virginia Beach Shooting Kills Two Police Officers

Image credits: Source Link

The Virginia Beach community is reeling after a fatal shooting claimed the lives of two police officers during a late-night traffic stop. Officers Cameron Girvin, 25, and Christopher Reese, 30, were pronounced dead at hospitals after the shooting, according to Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate. The pair, who were riding together Friday night, pulled over a car for an expired license plate at about 11:27 p.m., Neudigate said during a news conference Saturday. The traffic stop happened near the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and Wendfield Drive in Virginia Beach, next to an apartment complex.

Both officers approached the vehicle, and the male driver, later identified as convicted felon John McCoy III, was immediately argumentative and refused to get out of the car. At some point, he got out of the car, and there was a "tussle" between the officers and McCoy. McCoy pulled a pistol from his pocket and immediately shot the two officers. While they were on the ground "defenseless," he shot them each a second time, according to Neudigate. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are still sorting out the motive behind the shooting. McCoy may have acted because he had a gun, a criminal offense as a felon, Neudigate said.

The incident was documented on a body-worn camera and the in-car camera, according to Neudigate. "We do have video of all of it, and I will tell you, it is quite horrific," he said. Girvin and Reese began working for the department in 2020. Prior to working for the Virginia Beach Police Department, Reese was a deputy sheriff with the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office, from 2019 to 2022. They were dedicated, determined peace officers and public servants, Neudigate said. The community is coming together to mourn the loss of the two officers, with many expressing their condolences and support for the families of the victims.

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said the city is "heartbroken" over the loss of the two officers. "We mourn the loss of two of our own brave Virginia Beach police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice," Dyer said during the news conference. The police department has doubled up all its officers in cars, so there are no single officers on the road, Neudigate said. This is to give officers the ability to have someone in the car with them to help process and make sense of what occurred, and to make them feel that they have a semblance of safety. The incident has left the community in shock, with many residents expressing their sadness and condolences for the families of the victims.

The shooting has sparked an outpouring of support for the families of the victims, with many people offering their condolences and prayers. Congresswoman Jen Kiggans posted on social media to express her condolences, saying that the community is mourning the tragic loss of two brave Virginia Beach police officers who were killed in the line of duty. The incident is a reminder of the risks and sacrifices that law enforcement officers make every day to keep their communities safe. As the investigation continues, the community will be watching and waiting for answers about what led to this tragic event. In the meantime, the focus will be on supporting the families of the victims and honoring the memories of the two fallen officers.