Virginia Beach Police Turn Over Shooting Inquiry To State Police

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — The Virginia Beach Police Department has turned over its investigation of an officer-involved shooting of a former college football player to the Virginia State Police.

Donovon W. Lynch, 25, was shot and killed by a Virginia Beach police officer last Friday night along the city’s popular oceanfront strip of hotels and restaurants.

Lynch’s death was part of a spate of violence Friday night that resulted in the shooting deaths of two people, including Lynch, and injuries to eight others.

“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,” Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said in a statement.

The police officer who killed Lynch was wearing a bodycam but had not activated it, according to the police department.

The officer who shot Lynch — whose name has not been released by the Virginia Beach Police Department — and another police officer who saw Lynch’s killing have both said that Lynch had a handgun, according to police.

Lynch, who lived in Virginia Beach, was an offensive lineman for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise during the 2017 and 2018 seasons and a 2019 graduate of the school. He was a cousin of musician Pharrell Williams, a Virginia Beach native.

“My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings,” Williams wrote on Twitter. “It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency they deserve.”

The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency they deserve. VA Beach is the epitome of hope and we will get through this.

Del. Jay Jones, a Democrat who represents the 89th District in Norfolk, has called for the state attorney general’s office to investigate the police killing of Lynch.

In last Friday’s shootings, Deshayla E. Harris, 28, of Norfolk also was shot and killed. Investigators said they believe Harris was likely a bystander struck by stray gunfire. No arrests have been made in her death.

In the case of Lynch, the medical examiner said Lynch died after gunshot wounds to the torso and thigh.

Wayne Lynch, Donovon Lynch’s father, told WAVY that his son did carry a Ruger 9mm. Donovon Lynch was licensed to carry it and that he was the owner of a security firm, his father said.

“Don is a business owner. His business is a security company, and he is legally registered and has a concealed weapons permit,” Wayne Lynch said in the interview with WAVY. “The gun was not out… It could not be seen… I am wondering why he was shot.”

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