VB to mark its ‘darkest day’ on somber mass shooting anniversary

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Saturday marks a somber anniversary — six years since a mass shooting at Virginia Beach’s Municipal Center Complex killed 12 people and seriously injured four others.

The city will hold a remembrance ceremony at 4 p.m. to honor the lives lost and the survivors still healing from the unthinkable tragedy which took place May 31, 2019.

The ceremony will be held at the Mary C. Russo Volunteer Recognition Gazebo at 2401 Courthouse Drive, with a moment of silence to be held at 4:06 p.m. — signaling the time when the first 911 call went through. Saturday’s ceremony is open to the public and will take place rain or shine, the city said. The community is invited to wear blue, the color of remembrance.

“5/31 was the darkest day in the history of Virginia Beach and always will be,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer.

Twelve people were killed that day in the mass shooting at the Municipal Center Complex in 2019. The shooter, a city engineer, also injured four others before police shot and killed the suspect.

“Three hundred in the room, in the building at the time, had memories of that senseless act of violence,” Dyer said.

The city is inviting the community to “show love for VB” at the remembrance ceremony and is asking everyone to wear blue to show unity.

“If there was one thing heartening during that terrible time, [it] was the way the community all embraced and came together,” Dyer said. “And I tell you what, that was remarkable.”

A $14 million memorial is in the works to honor the lives lost. Crews are working now on the framework for the fountain at the corner of Princess Anne Road and Nimmo Parkway.

“It will go on in perpetuity,” Dyer said, “as our love for all those who are adversely affected.”

That memorial, we’re told, is on schedule to open May 31, 2026.

For more information, visit LoveForVB.com.

On May 30, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered that all U.S. and Commonwealth of Virginia flags be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings in memory of the victims of May 31 shooting.