VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Just over three weeks after the shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center Building 2 shooting, there is a new call for an independent investigation.
On Monday, Delegate Cheryl B. Turpin and Delegate Kelly Convirs Fowler sent a letter to the Virginia Beach City Council to immediately open an independent investigation into the Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting that killed 12 people.
"As a teacher who works in a public building and practices lockdowns with my students regularly, we need to get as much information as possible to avoid these events occurring again," said Delegate Turpin, who represents the 85th District in Virginia Beach. "It is time for the Virginia Beach City Council to act so the legislature can have as much information before the special session as possible.”
"Delegate Turpin and I will continue to stand with and advocate on behalf of the families who have suffered during this tragedy," said Delegate Fowler. "We need an independent review of the policies, procedures, and events leading up to the shooting. The General Assembly must know every detail of the events leading up to [May 31], as these details may help save lives. We urge transparency and decisiveness from our fellow leaders without delay.”
Turpin said as the special session draws closer they need more information.
"We looked at the amount of information we were getting as elected officials and we're frustrated that there was definitely a time that we were briefed and then, suddenly, the information kind of stopped moving forward," said Turpin.
Turpin and Fowler mention issues they heard were reported during the shooting like first responders' "inability to gain access to the building because of electronic locks" and "communication failures and delays."
Turpin said the goal of a third-party investigation is transparency because she heard reports that "family members of victims not receiving adequate information."
"At one of the vigils, they asked us to be present and simply, your presence is needed. Many times, I was at a loss for words to help comfort and explain the series of events, and it's the information that everybody needs," said Turpin.
In the letter, the delegates mention the state investigation into the Charlottesville riot two years ago as an example of a municipality doing an independent investigation before.
Kevin Martingayle, who represents the Nixon family, and the twin sister of Josh Hardy have asked Virginia Beach to open an independent investigation into the shooting.
Everyone who has called for an independent investigation hopes it can tell families what really happened.
"There are questions that need to be answered," Turpin said.