VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Police in Virginia Beach say one man is recovering from being shot at the Oceanfront on Saturday night, and that another man is facing charges.
The shooting happened shortly before midnight in the 2100 block of Atlantic Avenue. A 21-year-old man is critically injured, and his condition is unknown at this time.
Police said another 21-year-old man, Lamont Walton Junior, is in custody.
A man who heard the shots being fired told 13News Now he was at the Oceanfront hoping to enjoy the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
"You just come out to here to have fun and it's just ridiculous, though," said Kavante Dawson. "After the shootings in Texas and New York, everyone just come here to Virginia Beach to have fun."
Virginia Beach police said they were able to apprehend the suspect quickly thanks in part to increased staffing in the resort area for the weekend. Investigators said extra cameras added to the Oceanfront also caught the shooting from multiple angles.
Following the Oceanfront shootings in March 2021, city council members gave the green light for city leaders to order 42 more cameras in the resort area.
“We have folks that will be dedicated to monitoring the cameras. It is very successful for us, especially now that we have gunshot detection. So, if we receive a gunshot detection, officers can zoom in to that specific location and give some guidance to the responding officers," Chief Neudigate told 13News Now in April.
The suspect, Lamont Walton Junior, has been charged with Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Concealed Weapon. He is being held at the Virginia Beach City Jail.
The shooting remains under investigation. If you have any information that may help detectives, you're asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. You can also submit a tip online at P3Tips.com.