VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The public has a chance to meet the team in charge of the independent investigation into the mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.
According to the City Manager's report, the independent review officially began as soon as the team of 11 investigators from the Chicago-based Hillard Heintze security risk management consulting firm arrived on Tuesday.
A public meeting was held at 4 p.m. in Building 19 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center to introduce members of the team.
“The more we can be informed the better, and I like the way they are doing this, that they are informing us here today," said concerned citizen Mrs. Marsh
The team will look at a variety of issues surrounding the shooting, including the shooter's motive. The hope is this investigation will provide some answers to survivors.
RELATED: Virginia Beach mass shooting survivors share their stories with city council at listening session
City Auditor Lyndon Remias said, “the proposal submitted by Hillard Heintze was selected as the best proposal and it is the City’s intention to award the contract accordingly.”
“In order for the public to have confidence in the independent investigation it's important to understand the process," said City Councilman Michael Berlucchi. "It's important to understand the players that are involved, the firm.”
For the next 12 weeks, investigators will do all they can to dig up facts and present evidence, while at the same time respecting the fragile circumstances that continue to surround so many families.
“The most concerning point I think for the community and the families and the employees of Virginia Beach is why and that is what we are going to stick to answer," said investigator Arnette Heintze."We want to help in any way we can and to understand any point of view, perspective, concern that they have, that is our biggest challenge, and we want to do that right."
View the firm's contract with Virginia Beach below:
The projected end date for the investigation would be the beginning of October. The total cost from the City of Virginia Beach is $463,375.
City Auditor Lyndon Remias said the money to pay for the investigation is coming from the Risk Management fund.
The team that Hillard Heintze has assigned will consist of the following:
- Four Former Secret Service agents including one who heads the firm’s Threat and Violence Risk Management practice. Will perform review of security policies, procedures, and practices. Will perform a physical security assessment of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.
- Two Law Enforcement Officers – one who is a retired police chief from San Jose, Calif., and the other a retired deputy chief from Houston, Tex. They will review all issues relating to police response and obstacles faced.
- Two Attorneys – One who is the firm’s General Counsel and the other who is a Supreme Court of Virginia certified mediator specializing in human resource issues including toxic work environments.
- Two Certified Fraud Examiners - Skilled in forensic auditing who will perform a thorough data footprint of the shooter and will perform data mining and analysis.
- One Mental Health Expert – A licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. This individual will conduct a retrospective indirect threat assessment and risk evaluation of the shooter.
Hillard Heintze is a law-enforcement and risk management consulting company. It supports clients across the globe through six practices: Security Risk Management, Security Design, Threat + Violence Risk Management, Private Client and Family Office Services, Investigations and Law Enforcement Consulting.
On the firm's website, Arnette Heintze, Hillard Heintze founder and Jensen Hughes Global Security President said they see their role as trusted advisors as a noble and honorable pursuit.
Meanwhile, Mayor Bobby Dyer expects the police criminal investigation to wrap up in August.