Woman Killed by Virginia Police Was Holding a Fake Gun

A 25-year-old black woman was shot and killed by police officers in Virginia on Saturday after threatening them with what turned out to be a fake handgun, police said.
The Associated Press
Updated:

NORFOLK, Va.—A 25-year-old black woman was shot and killed by police officers in Virginia on Saturday after threatening them with what turned out to be a fake handgun, police said.

Investigators with the Norfolk Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division were conducting a surveillance operation when they came across a fight in a parking lot, police said.

An investigation determined that the handgun was a non-firing replica.

“Any loss of life is tragic,” Goldsmith said in a statement. “This morning’s events affect not only my officers and Ms. Beaty’s family members, but our entire community,” he said.

The Virginian-Pilot reported that it was the third police-involved shooting in Norfolk this year.

Earlier this month, Norfolk police shot and killed Tyre Privott. The 25-year-old was a suspect in a killing and was confronted by police while walking in the road. Privott shot at police and an officer fired, striking and killing him,police said.