Commonwealth v. Logan Paul Thorp; Man Convicted of Possessing Firearm on School Property

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Logan Paul Thorp, age 26, of the 1100 block Wishart Point Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was found guilty of Possession of a Firearm on School Property after a two-day jury trial.  Circuit Court Judge Scott J. Flax, who presided over the trial, will sentence Thorp. The sentencing date will be selected on July 24, 2025.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on the morning of January 8, 2025, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Logan Paul Thorp drove to Bayside Presbyterian Church and Preschool on Ewell Road in Virginia Beach. Bayside Presbyterian houses a church with offices, other rooms, a sanctuary, and is connected to the preschool. The outer doors to the church and the school are locked during the day. When Thorp arrived, preschool was in session and there were children in the building. Church staff were present, but the church was not open to the public at that time.

Thorp was captured on surveillance footage walking up to the church side of the building and trying, unsuccessfully, to open the doors. He pressed the buzzer and a member of the church staff came to the door. Thorp pushed past her. She told him the church wasn’t open, and he cursed and yelled at her that the church should be open, and pastors should be available for him to talk to. The staff member got the superintendent, who found Thorp in the sanctuary. The superintendent talked with Thorp for a while with a goal of not agitating him.  Thorp, at times speaking incoherently, claimed he used to have Eagle Scout meetings at the church as a child, and that he would be the pastor there someday. Eventually, Thorp tried to walk down the preschool hallway because he wanted to show the superintendent an Eagle Scout plaque with Thorp’s name on it. Thorp tried the door to the preschool hallway, but it was locked.  The superintendent directed Thorp back to the exit.

On his way out, Thorp commented that he would have kicked the glass in if the church staff member had not let him in.  After he left the building, the superintendent observed Thorp standing up on the top of his truck and using his hands to mimic holding binoculars up to his eyes pointing back at the church.  When asked what he was doing, Thorp then took his hand and made a motion with his finger and hand going across his neck, indicating a threat of harm to the staff member who opened the door.

Police arrived shortly after and encountered Thorp standing on top of his truck. He got down and told the officer that he was armed. The officer recovered a .38 caliber revolver from his pocket. Thorp admitted to bringing the revolver into the building. He stated that he didn’t intend to harm anyone.  While alone in the police car he stated, “I did that, yeah I did that,” while smirking and laughing.

 Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Courtney E. Lewis and Nickie L. Herron prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.