2 killed in murder-suicide outside Amazon facility, Virginia police say

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Two people are dead after a murder-suicide outside of the Amazon Fulfillment Center on Twin Mills Road in Virginia Beach, Va., Sunday afternoon, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

At around 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, Emergency Communications and Citizen Services received a reported shooting in the 1800 block of Twin Mills Road.

When officers arrived to the scene, they discovered a crime scene and found a woman and a man dead. At the time of the shooting, the two people were outside of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in a picnic lunch area.

The preliminary investigation indicated that both individuals knew each other, but whether they were Amazon employees is unknown. The shooting is being investigated as a murder-suicide after investigators viewed surveillance footage of the scene.

“They were not inside the warehouse,” Virginia Beach Police Deputy Chief Jeff Wilkerson said. “They were outside in the picnic lunch area on the facility. So we don’t know what their employment status is at this point. One person was the shooter and one person was clearly a victim and both are deceased. Based on the video evidence.”

Amazon workers were allowed to enter the building to collect their things before being sent home for the rest of the day.

Amazon Spokesperson Lex Evans has released the following statement about the shooting:

“We’re deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected during this incredibly difficult time. Direct support is being provided to the families, and counseling services have been made available to all employees who need it. The facility will remain closed for at least the next 24 hours, and all employees will be paid for any missed shifts during the closure. Our team is fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation.”

10 On Your Side spoke to Wilkerson near the scene Sunday.

“It’s a tragic day any time someone loses their life for any reason due to gun violence,” Wilkerson said. “This is clearly a gun violence situation. We do believe that these two people were acquaintances of one another based on the circumstances. We don’t know all of the circumstances yet, but we’re going to get to the bottom of it. But it’s certainly a sad day for the city when someone falls to gun violence.”

There is no current threat to the public as officers continue to investigate the relationship between the deceased individuals.

This is an active and ongoing investigation.