Officer-Involved Shooting on Shore Drive

On July 10, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., the Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services (ECCS) received a call regarding an individual walking through traffic armed with a knife.

Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) officers responded to the 2800 block of Shore Drive and located the individual on the shoreline of the beach, where he subsequently produced an approximately 11” knife.

Officers attempted to communicate and deescalate the incident, repeatedly instructing the individual to drop his weapon; the suspect did not comply. Officers then discharged a less-lethal “sponge round” from a SAGE launcher in an attempt to gain compliance.  The SAGE deployment was not effective. 

One VBPD officer ended up discharging his firearm, striking the individual.  Immediate medical attention was rendered on scene. The individual involved in this incident, a male 24 years of age from Richmond, Virginia, was then transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The officer who fired the shots was not injured and has been placed on temporary Critical Incident Leave, which is standard protocol.

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’s Attorney (OCA) who will review the facts and circumstances for compliance with law. 

In addition to the VBPD investigation, the OCA conducts its 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. 

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the VBPD Detective Bureau at (757) 385-4101 or Crime Solvers at 1(888)-LOCK-U-UP or P3Tips.com.