VIRGINIA BEACH — The Norfolk man police here shot and killed Tuesday pointed “a realistic looking BB-gun that resembles a Century Arms 9 mm” at officers.
“Detectives are continuing the investigation to include retrieving surveillance video footage from surrounding businesses as well as the apartment complex,” police said in a news release.
Police identified the man as Michael James Murphy, 43.
Authorities released a photo Thursday of the BB gun, and a real Century Arms 9 mm pistol for comparison.
Officers were sent to the Mayflower Apartments, 205 34th St. at around 1:38 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a “domestic disturbance.”
“A caller advised that when he heard what was believed to be a domestic disturbance, he looked into the hallway and observed a male suspect assaulting a female victim,” police spokeswoman Linda Kuehn said in a news release.
Police said a “Good Samaritan” who witnessed the domestic incident tried to intervene, armed himself with a long gun, but did not discharge it.
Police said the suspect, later identified as Murphy, fled on foot, crossing Pacific Avenue.
“A witness flagged officers down as they arrived on scene, alerting them which way the suspect was running, a description of the suspect, and that the suspect was armed with a gun,” Kuehn said.
Officers found Murphy in the 300 block of 35th Street with a gun.
They gave “verbal commands” for Murphy to drop the weapon. He did not comply, and pointed what police at that time thought was a real pistol at officers.
One of the officers shot back and struck Murphy, who died at the scene.
The officer who shot Murphy was not wearing a body camera bodycams haven’t been issued to the 2nd Precinct. The officer was placed on administrative leave.
The woman in the center of the domestic situation was taken to a local hospital. She “was struck multiple times by the suspect with a metal object resulting in serious injuries.”
Police said “a three-tiered investigation is being conducted by the Department’s Investigative Division/Homicide Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney.”
