- Authorities said that a convicted felon killed two Virginia Beach police officers over the weekend, during a traffic stop. The officers have been identified as 25-year-old Cameron Girvin, and 30-year-old Christopher Reese, who died Saturday after being shot multiple times in what officials described as a “horrific” incident late Friday night.
- The shooting unfolded after the officers pulled over a driver, identified as 42-year-old John McCoy III, for expired plates, after which an argument and physical struggle ensued.
- Law enforcement described the killings as executions.
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Virginia authorities said a convicted felon killed two police officers over the weekend of Feb. 21 during a traffic stop.
The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) officers were named as Cameron Girvin, 25, and Christopher Reese, 30. The two died on Saturday, Feb. 22, after being shot multiple times in what was described as a “horrific” incident” late Friday, Feb. 21.
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What is the mayor saying?
“Today, our city is heartbroken, we mourn the loss of our two own brave Virginia Beach police officers, who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Robert M. Dyer, the mayor of Virginia Beach, said on Saturday. “Their dedication to protecting our community will never be forgotten.”
How did the deadly encounter unfold?
The shootings unfolded after the officers pulled over a driver, identified as 42-year-old John McCoy III for expired plates, after which an argument and physical struggle ensued.
“They made numerous requests for him to exit the vehicle,” Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said. “At some point, he complied with those requests, stepped out of the vehicle. Almost immediately, there was a tussle between the officers and this individual. While that tussle was occurring, this individual pulled a pistol out of his pocket and immediately shot both VBPD officers.”
Law enforcement described the killings as executions.
“While on the ground, defenseless, he shot them each a second time,” said Neudigate.
Both officers died of their wounds at the hospital on Saturday.
What happened to the suspect?
Officials said McCoy was later found inside a shed, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The deadly encounter was captured on the officers’ body cameras sand squad car dashboard camera, according to Virginia Beach police.
Were there any other people involved?
There was a passenger in the vehicle with McCoy, but that person is not reportedly facing charges.
Police said it had been 16 years since the last time a Virginia Beach officer was killed in the line-of-duty.
