Carroll Foy Seeks DOJ Investigation Into VA Beach Police Shooting

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Former Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy, a Democratic candidate for governor, has joined U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D- 3rd) in calling for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the police shooting death of Donovon Lynch in Virginia Beach.

Lynch, 25, was shot and killed by a Virginia Beach police officer on March 26 along the city's popular oceanfront strip of hotels and restaurants. The police officer who killed Lynch was wearing a bodycam but had not activated it, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

“I am writing to join Congressman Bobby Scott and the family of the late Donovon Lynch in calling for a federal investigation of the March 26, 2021 incident that led to the death of Donovon Lynch,” Carroll Foy wrote in her letter Wednesday to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The initial investigation leaves many significant questions unanswered, which causes great concerns for the people of Hampton Roads and the broader Commonwealth.”

Virginia State Police is leading an independent investigation into the shooting. But many residents and lawmakers do not trust the state police to conduct a fair and thorough investigation.

Jeff Reichert, an attorney for the Lynch family, said earlier this month that he had learned another Virginia Beach police officer shot a person in the hand who tried to help Lynch. But like the other police officer, that officer had not activated his body camera, 13NewsNow reported.

The Virginia Beach police said that Lynch had a handgun when he was shot twice by the police officer.

SEE ALSO: Virginia Beach Police Turn Over Shooting Inquiry To State Police

Lynch’s family also wants the Virginia Beach Police to retract a statement about Lynch “brandishing” a gun, because they contend there is no evidence of that and Lynch was a licensed gun owner, according to the report.

“As Congressman Scott outlined in his request, questions remain regarding the use of the police’s body-worn camera, disputes about Mr. Lynch’s registered firearm, and alleged failures by the police to interview critical witnesses,” Carroll Foy said.

Lynch's cousin, singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, also has called for a federal investigation into Lynch’s killing due to the lack of information provided by the Virginia Beach Police Department.

In her letter, Carroll Foy also asked the Department of Justice to investigate the Dec. 5, 2020 incident in the town of Windsor, Virginia, involving U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Caron Nazario, who was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed by a town police officer over an initial traffic violation.

“A federal investigation would ensure effective oversight and structural changes in combating these egregious practices,” Carroll Foy wrote. “Bad actors within our police departments must be held accountable, and it's going to take concerted efforts by our local, state, and federal governments to ensure community trust and safety.”

Nazario, who is Black and Latino, was still in his full Army uniform when pulled over. Video of the incident went widespread on social media earlier this month, leading the Windsor police to fire one of the police officers almost four months after the incident.