Gunman Kills 12 in Virginia Beach

A longtime, disgruntled city employee opened fire at a municipal building in Virginia Beach on Friday, killing 12 people before police fatally shot him, authorities said. At least five other people were wounded in the afternoon shooting, including a police officer whose bulletproof vest saved his life, said Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera, per the AP. Five patients were being treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and a sixth was being transferred to the Trauma Center at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the municipal center, which is adjacent to City Hall. The building houses the city's public works, public utilities, and planning departments, according to City Councilwoman Barbara Henley.

Megan Banton, an administrative assistant who works in the building where the shooting happened, said she heard gunshots, called 911 and barricaded a door. "We tried to do everything we could to keep everybody safe," she said. "We were all just terrified. It felt like it wasn't real, like we were in a dream. You are just terrified because all you can hear is the gunshots." Cervera identified the shooter as a disgruntled employee of the Public Utilities Department. He did not release his name.

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