The gunman who killed 12 people and wounded six at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center put in a resignation notice hours before the shooting.
Thought it had been rumored he was fired, 40-year-old DeWayne Craddock, a longtime employee of the city’s public utilities department, in fact submitted his two weeks’ notice prior to the tragedy, according to the Virginian-Pilot.
Police Chief Jim Cervera said that the gunman was not fired nor was the city considering letting him go. He noted that the gunman was in good standing within his department and was doing a “satisfactory” job in the position.
Police spokeswoman Linda Kuehn said she first learned about the gunman’s resignation email Sunday and emphasized that he was not fired.
“So many things are going on, and all the questions so far have been focused on whether or not he was fired and whether or not he was in the process of being fired. That’s a hard no,” she said.
Police have still not released a motive for the shooting, and four of the injured remain hospitalized Sunday. The gunman was killed by police after a shootout. He was armed with two .45 caliber handguns.
Police released the names of the 12 victims Saturday. All but one of those who died were employees of the city.
