Five years have passed since the tragic mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, leaving 12 people dead and many more lives forever changed. The city is now working to honor the victims with a memorial site and endowment fund to support survivors and their families. However, for some family members of those lost in the shooting, feelings of being let down by the city persist.
On May 31, 2019, an embittered city employee carried out a shooting spree at Building 2 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center. The Departments of Public Utilities and Public Works were among the areas affected by this deadly episode of workplace violence. In the aftermath, survivors and families have been left to cope with their grief while also dealing with unanswered questions.
The city has promised support and accountability, but some family members feel that they have been washed away in the tourist season. Sarah Leonard, daughter of Mary Louise Gayle who was killed in the shooting, will not be attending the memorial ceremony on Friday. Instead, she is taking her children camping and her brother Matthew is resuming a sailing trip he cut short five years ago.
Despite these feelings of disappointment, efforts are being made to remember and honor those lost in the shooting. A memorial site will be dedicated on Friday afternoon where the 12 names of the victims will eventually be etched into the landscape of Virginia Beach. Additionally, VTVCare is pushing for a permanent $10 million endowment fund to reimburse mass-shooting survivors and families for certain expenses not covered by their insurance and other funds.
The Virginia Mass Violence Care Fund is expected to yield an estimated $400,000 per year for victims. City officials have also taken steps to improve workplace security, safety, and communication to prevent violence in the future. An online reporting system (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.) has been established to track incidents of potential workplace violence and complaint investigations.
The renovated Building 2 now serves as the Virginia Beach Police Department's new First Police Precinct.
As the city moves forward, it is important to remember that no one is getting better for those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. It is crucial to provide support and resources for survivors and their families as they continue to heal.
