Virginia Beach Gunman Quit Job Hours before Killing 12 People

The Virginia Beach gunman who killed 12 people at a municipal center on Friday resigned from his job in the same building via e-mail earlier that day.

DeWayne Craddock, the 40-year-old city engineer who went on a shooting rampage at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, sent in his two weeks’ notice in an email earlier on Friday, according to NBC News.

Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen provided the latest piece of information in the puzzling case during a news conference on Sunday.

Hansen added that Craddock, who eventually died from injuries sustained in a gun battle with the cops, was not forced to resign nor did he appear to be quitting because he had applied for another job he did not get.

"We are determining where that letter is," Hansen told reporters when asked if Craddock explained why he was resigning in the mail.

Hansen also pointed out that one of the victims killed during the rampage was Craddock’s supervisor. The gunman had worked with the city's utilities department for 15 years, and according to The New York Times, Hansen described him as being “in good standing in his department.”

BLACK FRIDAY

During the news conference, Virginia Beach Police Chief James A. Cervera assured that investigators are working hard to identify Craddock’s motives and determine whether his job status “had anything to do with the horrific acts and events that he perpetrated.”

Craddock, a National Guard veteran, opened fire at around 4 pm in Building No. 2 of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, reports The Times. He shot indiscriminately across several offices, leaving a trail of injured and dead victims and exchanging gunshots with the police.

THE GUNMAN'S ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE TRAGEDY

Craddock was reportedly armed with two handguns and plenty of ammunition, with Cervera adding that at least one of the pistols had a noise suppressor while the number of rounds fired by the gunman “was well into the double digits.”

Earlier the same day he unleashed tragedy at the government building, Craddock chatted with a colleague in the men’s restroom and had a bizarre interaction with another during the rampage.

Account clerk Terry Inman told the press that he came face-to-face with Craddock amid the chaos. Inman said after seeing Craddock in the building with a gun, he shouted: “What are you doing? Stop it, DeWayne!”

The gunman reportedly fixed Inman with a blank stare, providing no indication that he even heard his colleague speak.

SLAIN & INJURED VICTIMS

Craddock was subdued by injuries sustained during his fiery exchange with the police and died while being transported to the hospital.

As at Sunday, four of Craddock’s injured victims were said to be in critical condition.

The slain victims include Virginia Beach government employees, LaQuita Brown, Michelle Langer, Ryan Keith Cox, Alexander Mikhail Gusev, Joshua O. Hardy, Richard H. Nettleton, Robert Williams, Katherine A. Nixon, Christopher Kelly Rapp, Tara Welch Gallagher, Mary Louise Gayle, and Herbert Snelling, a contractor who was at the municipal that day to inquire about a permit.

THE GUNMAN'S FAMILY SPEAKS

Craddock’s parents told CNN on Friday night that they weren’t aware of any problems their son might have had at work. The family also posted a handwritten condolence note on their front door:

"We are grieving the loss of our loved one. At this time we wish to focus on the victims and the lives [lost] during yesterday's tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who [lost] their lives, and those recovering in the hospital."

A NATIONAL TRAGEDY

Per The Times, a memorial has been set up near the municipal complex for Craddock’s gun violence victims. There, residents gather with flowers, cards, balloons, American flags, and crosses in honor of the memory of the departed.

According to Hansen, Building No. 2 will remain closed indefinitely while the rest of the municipal center is expected to reopen on Tuesday.