11 Virginia Beach Employees, Contractor Killed In Shooting

April 13, 2020 Off By EveAim

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — The victims killed in Friday’s mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center were employees of the city’s public works and public utilities departments and one of the victims was a contractor. The shooting is believed to be the worst in the United States this year and the deadliest in the city’s history.

“Sixteen hours ago, the lives of 12 people were cut short by a senseless, incomprehensible act of violence,” Virginia Beach City Manager David Hansen said at a press conference Saturday morning.

Hansen said all but one of the victims were employees of the city of Virginia Beach, adding that he had worked with most of them for many years.

“We want you to know who they were so in the days and weeks to come you will learn what they meant to all of us,” Hansen said.

The victims were identified as:

Laquita C. Brown, right-of-way agent in the public works department, of Chesapeake

Tara Welch Gallagher, an engineer in the public works department, of Virginia Beach

Mary Louise Gayle, right-of-way agent in the public works department, of Virginia Beach

Alexander Mikhail Gusev, right-of-way agent in the public works department, of Virginia Beach

Katherine A. Nixon, engineer in public utilities, of Virginia Beach

Richard H. Neddleton, engineer in public utilities, of Norfolk

Christopher Kelly Rapp, engineer in public works, a citizen of Powhatan

Ryan Keith Cox, account clerk in public utilities, of Virginia Beach

Joshua O. Hardy, engineering technician in public utilities, of Virginia Beach

Michelle “Missy” Langer, administrative assistant in public utilities, of Virginia Beach

Robert “Bobby” Williams, special projects coordinator in public utilities, of Chesapeake

Herbert “Bert” Snelling, contractor, of Virginia Beach

Some of the victims were longtime employees, with the longest serving employee having worked for the city for 41 years while one of the victims had worked there for just 11 months.

At least four victims who are seriously injured remain hospitalized.

Virginia Beach Police Chief Jim A. Cervera confirmed on Saturday that the shooter was DeWayne Craddock, who had worked in the public utilites department as an engineer for 15 years. Cervera said this would be the only time the authorities would say the shooter’s name.

Law enforcement officials recovered additional weapons from the scene and from the shooter’s home. Cervera said he was not at liberty to say what those weapons were.

The ATF said two .45 caliber pistols were used in the shooting, one purchased in 2016 and the other in 2018. All indication are that the weapons were purchased legally, an ATF agent told reporters at a Saturday afternoon press conference.

Another firearm recovered from the shooter’s home that has been identified was also purchased legally, the agent said.

Any witnesses who have additional information they want to give authorities can call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Counselors are also available for city employees, citizens and family members affected by the shooting.

Anyone wishing to volunteer can do so through Volunteer Hampton Roads. Donations can be made through United Way or by texting VABEACH to 41444.

Cervera said he could not give any information on a possible motive. Hansen said the suspect was still employed, had a security pass and was authorized to enter the building. However, Cervera noted that citizens enter that building at all times.

Despite some reports saying that the shooter had been fired from the public utilites department, Cervera said that was not true.

President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam as well as with the mayor and vice mayor of Virginia Beach.

“The Federal Government is there, and will be, for whatever they may need,” Trump wrote in a tweet. “God bless the families and all!”

Northam has ordered flags to be lowered to half staff across the state until sunset on June 8 in memory of the victims.

Northam was in Virginia Beach on Saturday, attending a vigil.

Police said the shooter opened fire on workers shortly after 4 p.m. in Building 2, which is next to City Hall and houses the city’s public works, planning, public utilities and other departments on 2425 Nimmo Parkway. Officers responded to the building within minutes, entered and returned fire, killing the suspect. Cervera said a police officer was among those shot, but was saved by his bulletproof vest, he said.

On Saturday, Cervera described the exchange of gunfire between police and the suspect as a “long-term, large, gunfight.”

Building 2 will be closed on Monday and some of the city’s major services will have to be relocated.

Officials are expected to provide more information at a press conference later in the afternoon.

The worst case of mass violence in 2019 before Friday’s shooting was a Feb. 15 workplace shooting at the Henry Pratt Company’s manufacturing and warehouse building in Aurora, Illinois. Five people were killed, six police officers were injured, and the gunman died in a shootout with police. The shooter was reporting to work for a meeting at which he was fired.

Skip Wood and Emily Leayman contributed to this report.

This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.

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