VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A Kempsville High School freshman was shot and killed on Thursday night in Virginia Beach.
It happened around 6:15 p.m. Thursday in the 4900 block of Almandine Avenue, off Bonney Road in the Kempsville area. The victim, who police have not identified, was found with a gunshot wound and died at the scene, police say.
Police said the victim and other juveniles were handling a gun at the time, when it discharged. A 16-year-old now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, juvenile possession of a firearm and shooting inside an occupied dwelling. A 15-year-old is charged with obstruction of justice.
Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate told WAVY it happened after the teens found an unsecured gun in the residence.
“Curiosity, mishandling, playing with a firearm and now we have a deceased 14-year-old,” Neudigate said.
Chief Neudigate added: “the level and the amount of firearms and juveniles that we see in the city of Virginia Beach, and that we see in Hampton Roads, is disturbing.”
He went on to say that a lot of firearms are stolen out of vehicles and residences and end up in the hands of teens.
He said in one of every 10 vehicle break-ins in Virginia Beach, thieves get a gun. He said while owning a gun is a Second Amendment right, it also comes with responsibility, and the community needs to do more.
“To the community, please secure those firearms,” he said.
Kempsville High sent out a statement to the school community on Friday morning. It reads “it is with great sorrow that we report the passing of one of our students. Our hearts and sympathies are with the student’s family and the Kempsville High School community.”
The school says additional counselors will be available for those who need support, and parents can reach out to the school about the shooting at 757-648-5450.
