VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – In a tragic turn of events Friday night, two Virginia Beach police officers lost their lives during what began as a routine traffic stop. The community is now grappling with the loss of Officers Christopher Rees, 30, and Cameron Girvin, 25, who were fatally shot while conducting a stop in the Green Run area. The suspect, identified as John McCoy III, is believed to have taken his own life shortly after the incident.
The events unfolded around 11:30 p.m. near the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and Winfield Drive. Officers Rees and Girvin pulled over McCoy’s vehicle due to expired license plates. What should have been a standard procedure quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation. According to Police Chief Paul Neudigate, the entire incident was captured on body cameras worn by the officers.
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer expressed the city’s collective grief, describing the atmosphere as heavy with sorrow. The loss of the officers has left a profound impact on the community, with a memorial set up by local fire and police departments to honor their service and sacrifice.
During a press conference, Chief Neudigate recounted the harrowing details. After initially refusing to stop, McCoy led the officers to a dead end at Sullivan Court. When McCoy finally emerged from his vehicle, he opened fire, striking both officers. As they lay on the ground, he shot them again before fleeing the scene.
A subsequent search led police to a nearby shed where McCoy was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The swift and tragic sequence of events has prompted the police department to pair officers in vehicles, ensuring no officer is alone on patrol as they process this devastating loss.
The police department, recognizing the youth and inexperience of many officers, is providing support to help them navigate the aftermath of the tragedy. The entire force is working to maintain a semblance of safety and normalcy while honoring the memory of their fallen colleagues.
Community members wishing to support the families of Officers Rees and Girvin are encouraged to make donations to the Virginia Beach Police Department, which has set up a fund in their memory.