At least 12 killed in Virginia Beach mass shooting: What we know
A shooter opened fire at a municipal center in Virginia Beach on Friday, killing 12 people and wounding at least four others, according to police.
The gunman, who was a public utilities employee at the center, died at the scene, according to Virginia Beach police Chief Jim Cervera.
The town's mayor said the shooting was "the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach."
Here is what we know about the shooting so far.
12 killed at Virginia Beach municipal center
Twelve people were killed and at least four more were wounded in the shooting. Police identified those killed at a press conference Saturday morning:
Laquita C. Brown
Ryan Keith Cox
Tara Welch Gallagher
Mary Louise Gayle
Alexander Mikhail Gusev
Joshua A. Hardy
Michelle “Missy” Langer
Richard H. Nettleton
Katherine A. Nixon
Christopher Kelly Rapp
Herbert “Bert” Snelling
Robert “Bobby” Williams
A Virginia Beach Police officer was among those injured in the incident. He was saved by his bulletproof vest, authorities say.
Virginia Beach shooting: 11 killed after gunman opens fire in municipal building
Shooter is dead, authorities confirm
Authorities confirmed that the shooter, Dewayne Craddock, was an engineer with public utilities for 15 years. He was shot dead in a shootout with police.
"They immediately engaged with the suspect, and I can tell you that it was a long gun battle between those four officers and that suspect," Cervera said.
The shooting occurred just after 4 p.m. EDT Friday afternoon, as many employees were leaving for the day.
"I was scared to death," City Councilwoman Barbara Henley, who pulled up to the building shortly after 4 p.m., told the Virginian-Pilot.
This is the deadliest shooting to occur in the U.S. since November, when 12 people were killed at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California.
What Gov. Ralph Northam, others are saying about the shooting
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam arrived in Virgnia Beach shortly after the shooting on Friday afternoon.
"This is just a horrific day," Northam told reporters. "And a lot of people are on the scene here. Just our thoughts are for the victims and families. We're working with our law enforcement, first responders, our folks at the hospital and just making sure we take care of everybody right now."
The governor also shared his support via Twitter, calling the shooting a "tragic day."
This is a tragic day for Virginia Beach and our entire Commonwealth. My heart breaks for the victims of this devastating shooting, their families, and all who loved them. I am on my way to Virginia Beach now and will be there within the hour.
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) May 31, 2019
"My heart breaks for the victims of this devastating shooting, their families, and all who loved them," Northam added in his tweet.
Sen. Tim Kaine, who has represented Virginia since 2013, also tweeted a response to the shooting.
I’m devastated to learn of the tragic shooting tonight in Virginia Beach. My heart is with everyone who lost a loved one, and I’m praying for a swift recovery for all those who have been injured.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) May 31, 2019
"This day will not define Virginia Beach, our response will define Virginia Beach," Councilman Aaron Rouse said. "We will come together, we will show the strength of our city."
Cervera, the police chief, praised responders for how they handled the situation.
"When this violent act occurred, police and fire-rescue responded and did the professional thing that they do, because that's what they do," Cervera said.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: At least 12 killed in Virginia Beach mass shooting: What we know
