Officer Involved Shooting 4600 Block of Virginia Beach Blvd.

On Nov. 19, 2024, at 11:06 p.m., Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizens Services (ECCS) dispatched officers from the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) to the 4600 block of Virginia Beach Blvd. after receiving a 911 call for a suspicious person.

Upon arrival, the officer on scene was alerted by an employee at the business location that the suspect, later identified as Brandon Raylin Closson (M/43) of Norfolk, had attempted to rob the store with a “knife”. When the officer approached Closson, he produced a cutting tool, roughly 6” long with an approximately 3” metal serrated edge.  Closson disregarded numerous commands to stop and continued to advance towards the officer.

The officer discharged his firearm striking Closson, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.  The involved officer, a five-year veteran of the Department, was uninjured and is currently on administrative leave, which is standard practice for a critical incident such as an officer-involved shooting.

The VBPD Detective Bureau is conducting one of two criminal investigations into this incident. Upon completion, all evidence obtained by VBPD will be submitted to the Virginia Beach Office of the Commonwealth Attorney (OCA) who will review the facts and circumstances for compliance with law.

In addition to the VBPD investigation, the OCA conducts their own parallel, independent criminal investigation. Upon conclusion of both criminal investigations, the VBPD Internal Affairs Unit will conduct an administrative review to determine compliance with department policy, procedure, and training.

Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to contact the VBPD Detective Bureau at 757-385-4101.