VIRGINIA BEACH SHOOTER FOUND.
De Craddock, a former public utilities worker whose name frequently appeared on city notices, was named as the mass shooter who opened fire at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, leaving behind 17 victims, 12 of whom have died, in the nation’s latest horrific active shooter event.
It was report by the Wall Street journal that Craddock was the shooter; Heavy also confirmed the name through police scanner audio. Officers named DeWayne Craddock as the shooter to dispatchers early on in their response. The scene inside Building 2 was a frightening one; police scanner traffic chronicled how officers rushed to rescue victims, including at least one shot in the face, found survivors hiding throughout the complex, and worked to neutralize the suspect, who was still firing through a door.
You can watch the latest police press conference here “It’s a horrific day for Virginia,” said Gov. Ralph Northam. “It’s just a horrific day. Our thoughts are with these victims and their families.” The suspect used a .45 caliber handgun with multiple extended magazines, the police chief said. The suspect and officers engaged in a “gun battle.”
In a press conference, the governor commended the first responders. “Their actions likely saved lives,” he said. They have seen injuries and scenes “no one should have to face,” he said. The mayor called it Virginia Beach’s darkest day.
One journalist said a police officer had succinctly and correctly texted him, “This is bad.” Other journalists described it as a heartbreaking scene. Craddock, of Virginia Beach, was 40-years-old, according to online records, and is now dead. A local journalist reported that he was shot by police, but they had not yet confirmed that. The victims’ names have not yet been released; the wounded survivors’ conditions were not released either. When they are, Heavy will write a tribute that describes their lives.
“This is the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach,” said Mayor Bobby Dyer. “The people involved are our friends, co-workers, neighbors, colleagues.”
There are 12 people dead, and five people were wounded, including a police officer who is expected to survive, said Police Chief James A. Cervera, calling it a “devastating incident…that is going to change the lives of a number of families from our city.” Reporter Gordon Rago quoted civil engineer Arthur Felton as saying, “I never thought this would happen in my building. The people who were shot — I’m sure I know most of them.” Initially, the chief said there were 11 deceased victims, but he later said another person had died. Information technology, planning, a printing operation, and utilities are housed in building 2, and it has the potential of having 400 workers there, said the chief.
A Virginia Beach police officer was shot and “saved by his vest,” said the police chief, as Craddock continued to fire.
Shortly after 4 p.m. on May 31, 2019, the suspect, a long-time public utilities employee, entered and began to “indiscriminately fire on all the victim,” the chief said. He was a “current employee” and the shooting occurred over multiple floors, said the chief.
However, the Wall Street Journal and other outlets continued to report that he had been terminated. The newspaper reported that Craddock returned to municipal building 2 to “exact revenge.”
Officers responded to building 2. They secured as many of the victims as they could. “The suspect did shoot a police officer. Officers returned fire. Suspect is deceased. The scene is secure,” said the police chief.
DeWayne Craddock’s employment status is confirmed by numerous city notices listing him as a public works contact person. Some people on Twitter were sharing information about the shooter’s political affiliation; however, the credible source on that requires a partial social security number, so it could not be confirmed. There is no evidence of political motive.
Is the shooter dead or alive?
How ever you may click on link for a live audio broadcast.
Source: https://heavy.com/news/2019/05/dewayne-craddock/
