Two police officers in Virginia Beach were fatally shot following a traffic stop on February 23, 2025. Officers Cameron Girvin, 25, and Christopher Reese, 30, were killed by a suspect who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Two Virginia police officers fatally shot
- Suspect identified as John McCoy III
- Incident captured on body and in-car cameras
- Community mourns loss of fallen officers
- Mayor calls city heartbroken over tragedy
- No charges expected against vehicle passenger
The incident occurred around 11:27 p.m. when Officers Girvin and Reese attempted to stop a blue Hyundai Sonata for expired plates. After the car failed to yield, it eventually stopped at Sylvan Court. When the officers approached the vehicle, the driver initially refused to exit but complied after some time. A struggle ensued during which the driver pulled out a pistol and shot both officers before shooting them again while they were on the ground.
Emergency responders arrived quickly but could not save the officers; Reese was pronounced dead shortly after midnight at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, while Girvin died at approximately 4:30 a.m. at Virginia Beach General Hospital. The tragic event has left both families and the community mourning their loss.
The shooter was identified as John McCoy III, 42, who had one felony conviction in 2009. He was found deceased in a shed behind an apartment complex with a gunshot wound to his head. Police do not expect to file charges against any passengers who may have been in McCoy’s vehicle during the incident.
This tragic event has prompted widespread grief within the Virginia Beach community and law enforcement agencies across the region as they remember two dedicated officers who lost their lives serving others.
The deaths of Officers Girvin and Reese highlight significant concerns about officer safety during routine traffic stops and have sparked conversations about potential reforms within policing practices to better protect those who serve their communities.
