Virginia Beach police chief asks State Police to take over investigation into fatal police shooting of Donovon Lynch

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) -- Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate is asking for the Virginia State Police to take over the investigation into the police shooting of Donovon Lynch at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront last Friday.

"The Lynch family and the involved officer each deserve a comprehensive and thorough investigation into this incident, and we appreciate the public's patience as we pursue every facet of it."

Vb chief says “It’s time to turn it over to the Virginia State Police” he says he heard the calls from the community for this. He says after this he will no longer be able to provide any updates to the community.

— Aesia Toliver (@AesiaWAVY) March 30, 2021

In an update Monday night, police said Lynch brandished a gun when police came into contact with him in the 300 block of 20th Street. Lynch was shot and killed by the officer. The medical examiner says Lynch died after gunshot wounds to the torso and thigh.

A firearm was recovered at the scene, but Lynch's father told WAVY's Andy Fox he owned a security company and was legally allowed to carry.

"The police department is not making the determination if the @VBPD officer was justified or not. That will be left up to @ColinStolle." @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/MK2B2dl82Y

— Brett Hall (@BrettHNews) March 30, 2021

Over the weekend, Virginia Beach police said the officer involved had a body camera, but it was not on at the time.

The Virginia Beach City Auditor’s Office said it would analyze body camera activation data following deadly officer-involved shooting Friday.

When it comes to the body-worn camera's and technology that allows the camera to turn on when the gun comes out of a @VBPD holster...@PaulNeudigate says "even though we paid for it, it is not functional" because of holster issues @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/aLW5nzjFT7

— Brett Hall (@BrettHNews) March 30, 2021

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard procedure, police said. He has been with the department for five years and is assigned to its special operations division.

Lynch was one of two people fatally shot that night. The other person was 28-year-old Deshayla Harris, of Norfolk. No arrests have been made for Harris’ death, but several men have been arrested in connection to the shootings on Friday.

Neudigate says there will be a meeting on Tuesday between VBPD and State Police to discuss the logistics.

This is a developing story and will be updated. Neudigate is briefing the Virginia Beach City Council now.

from WAVY.com https://ift.tt/3m4Uwn8