Update to the March 26, 2021, Officer Involved Shooting
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Homicide detectives have now conducted interviews with the officer involved in the shooting death of Mr. Donovon Lynch, an officer who witnessed the incident, as well as independent witnesses.
Both officers report that Mr. Lynch was brandishing a handgun at the time of the shooting. It was recovered at the scene. An independent witness affirmed that Mr. Lynch had been in possession of a handgun earlier on the evening of March 26, 2021.
The specific actions which resulted in the shooting are part of the ongoing criminal investigation. Once the VBPD investigation is complete, all statements and evidence will be submitted to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney (OCA). The OCA is conducting a separate investigation into this incident, independent of the Police Department.
Once the criminal investigation and subsequent review and findings by the OCA are complete, the VBPD Internal Affairs Bureau will begin its investigation into policy and procedure compliance.
In a Special Session of City Council tomorrow afternoon, Chief Neudigate will provide further updates on the other two shooting incidents that occurred on March 26, 2021.
Jennifer Cragg
Media and Communications Coordinator
Virginia Beach Police Department
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