VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The city’s police chief said the shooting death of one teen, allegedly at the hands of another teen, cannot be an accepted norm in Virginia Beach.
The broad daylight shooting death Tuesday afternoon in the Level Green community has put that community on edge, as one 16-year-old boy was killed, and another 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection to the shooting.
Officers responded to the 1000 block of Bryce Lane, near Level Green Boulevard, Commonwealth Place and Commonwealth Drive, at 3:49 p.m. for reports of a shooting. WAVY News 10 sent a crew to the scene around 6 p.m., with video showing police tape surrounding an area near an intersection and several police officers in the road.
A neighbor who declined to show her face or reveal her name brought 10 On Your Side back to the moment she heard the gunshots.
“I was just in the house doing my hair and there was like three gunshots, and I just immediately ran outside,” she said, “Then all I know is my neighbor, as she was like walking towards the mailbox where it happened, she burst out crying because she almost got hit.”
When officers arrived to the scene, they found a 16-year-old boy dead at the scene.
The neighbor remembers what she felt when she saw the young boy’s body lying on the ground.
“It was traumatizing,” she said. “It was scary, actually, because the young kids were outside coming home from school. So, it actually could’ve been anybody.”
An investigation led to the arrest of another 16-year-old boy from Virginia Beach. The suspect was charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
The neighbor said even though she’s never seen something like this happen before, she’s already taking safety precautions to make sure her family isn’t caught in any crossfire.
“I have younger siblings, so I actually told them yesterday that outside is not really safe right now until everything dies down,” she said.
People within the community put out candles to honor the young boy.
One of those neighbors declined an interview but said although she didn’t know the boy, no one, especially someone that young, should die in such a tragic way.
“A 16-year-old losing their life to another 16-year-old with a gun, we cannot accept this as the normal for our community, but unfortunately, this is the reality,” Police Chief Paul Neudigate said. “The abundance of unsecured firearms in homes and unlocked vehicles allows easy access to those who should not possess them.
“I urge parents and guardians to actively check their children’s rooms and belongings for firearms, and if found, surrender them to the appropriate authorities. Please help us be proactive in saving lives.”