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One year later, we remember those who died in the Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting.

Twelve people died in the shooting that took place on May 31, 2019. Read about them here as we honor their lives and memory.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Eleven people went to work at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center on May 31, 2019, and just as their workday that Friday was winding down, a man with a gun brought their lives to an end, along with the life of someone who was there on business.

Four were engineers who worked to maintain streets and protect wetlands. Three were right-of-way agents who reviewed property lines. The others included an account clerk, a technician, an administrative assistant, and a special projects coordinator. Another was a contractor who was in Building Two to get a permit.

Combined, the 11 people who were city employees served Virginia Beach for more than 150 years. 

All 12 were part of our community. They were our neighbors. They were our friends. They were our loved ones.

Days after the shooting, Dave Hansen, who was city manager at the time, said, "They leave a void that we will never be able to fill."

We also never will forget them.

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Laquita C. Brown was a right-of-way agent in public works for 4.5 years.

LaQuita C. Brown of Chesapeake

LaQuita Brown was a right-of-way agent with more than four years in public works.

"If you were around Quita, you were going to have the best time of your life," her friend Candice Rauch said. "She was your best friend, whether you knew her or not."

Rauch said that if Brown were still here, she'd want us all to do one thing: keep smiling. 

"Oh my gosh [her laughter] was so contagious. You would just laugh and laugh and laugh because she was so fun," Rauch said.

RELATED: Tragedy in Virginia Beach: Remembering Laquita Brown


Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Tara Welch Gallagher was an engineer in Public Works for six years.

Tara Welch Gallagher of Virginia Beach

Tara Gallagher was an engineer with six years in public works. A graduate of Old Dominion University, she is one of five victims honored in a memorial being built by ODU.

She was a wife and a mother, and a dedicated public servant.

"Tara was kind in her heart, compassionate in her actions, and humble in her demeanor," her obituary reads.

A few months before her death, Gallagher spoke with 13News Now for a story about water quality tests in Ashville Park.

RELATED: ODU breaks ground on memorial to victims of Virginia Beach Municipal Center mass shooting

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Mary Louise Gayle was a right-of-way agent in public works for 24 years.

Mary Louise Gayle of Virginia Beach

Mary Louise Gayle was a right-of-way agent with 24 years in public works. She was described as a "super sweet lady" who always had a big smile. 

"She would always be out there in the yard, working on something and talking to my daughters," John Cushman, Gayle's next-door neighbor, told The New York Times.

Gayle's children described her as a "Fiercely protective mother. Proud Grammy. Loving sister and aunt. Everyone’s best friend."

RELATED: '...Kind, warm, funny, giving, and loving...' | Mary Lou Gayle's children release statement

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Alexander Mikhail Gusev worked as a right-of-way agent in public works for 9 years.

Alexander Mikhail Gusev of Virginia Beach

Alexander Gusev was a right-of-way agent with nine years in public works.

Gusev was born in Belarus and came to the United States on May 31, 2003 -- exactly 16 years before the day of the shooting.

He graduated from ODU and following an internship, landed a full-time job at Virginia Beach Public Works.

"In his time here, he made many faithful friends and touched the lives of many others," his obituary reads.

Credit: City of Virginia Beach

Katherine "Kate" A. Nixon of Virginia Beach

Kate Nixon was an engineer with 10 years in public utilities. She also was a wife and mother of three.

"Kate is very giving and kind and caring," said Chelsea Bailey, one of Nixon's best friends. "I just can't even put into words."

Nixon's husband, Jason, has been a vocal proponent for an independent investigation into the mass shooting.

"I don't want this to be a flash in the pan and also the next news story comes up and we forget about Kate and the families," Jason previously said.

RELATED: 'Her laugh was infectious' | Best friend remembers Kate Nixon

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Richard Nettleton worked for the city for 28 years as an Engineer in Public Utilities.

Richard H. Nettleton of Norfolk

Rich Nettleton was an engineer with 28 years in public utilities.

"He was from New Hampshire. He was a big Red Sox fan. I’m from New York, a big Yankees fan," Rich's friend Bob Sciacchitano said. "We couldn’t have a conversation without having a little bit of banter back and forth about the Red Sox and Yankees, and I think that’s something I’m going to miss about Rich."

RELATED: Man remembers friend, Richard Nettleton, who was killed in the Virginia Beach mass shooting

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Christopher Kelly Rapp was an engineer in public works. He had been only been an employee with the city for 11 months.

Christopher Kelly Rapp of Powhatan

Chris Rapp was an engineer with 11 months in public works. 

He enjoyed Scottish music and joined a pipe band the previous fall. He played with the group in October during a Celtic festival in Virginia and marched with bandmates on St. Patrick's Day. 

"Chris was reserved but very friendly, quietly engaging members one-on-one after our weekly practices," the band, Tidewater Pipes & Drums, said in a statement.

RELATED: Bagpipers brave rain to honor member, other victims of Virginia Beach Municipal Center shooting

RELATED: Stafford County honors Virginia Beach shooting victim Christopher Rapp

RELATED: Tragedy in Virginia Beach: Tidewater Pipes and Drums remembers Christopher Rapp

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Ryan Keith Cox was an employee for the city for 12.5 years. He was an account clerk in Public Utilities.

Ryan Keith Cox of Virginia Beach

Keith Cox was an account clerk with more than 12 years in public utilities.

One of the survivors of the shooting said Cox sacrificed himself in an attempt to save others.

“Keith is somebody that would do anything for anybody and he did, he gave his life,” said survivor Christi Dewar. “He needs to be honored and respected and the city needs to do something to memorialize his heroism.”

President Trump signed a bill in August 2019, renaming a Virginia Beach post office in Cox's name after Virginia lawmakers passed the measure.

RELATED: Father of mass shooting victim Keith Cox remembers his son who had 'voice of an angel'

RELATED: Survivor: Keith Cox saved lives during the Municipal Center shooting

RELATED: Post office renamed after Virginia Beach mass shooting hero

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Joshua Hardy was an Engineering Technician in Public Utilities for 4.5 years.

Joshua A. Hardy of Virginia Beach

Josh Hardy was an engineering technician with more than four years in public utilities.

A neighbor said Hardy was a "God-fearing man. Always trying to keep people's heads in the right place and give you hope."

“We have been told my brother was shot 10 times because he was saving his co-workers,” said Hardy's twin sister, Denise Smallwood. “Josh had two opportunities to escape, but instead he helped people.”

RELATED: Twin sister of Virginia Beach mass shooting victim asks city for answers

RELATED: 'Picture perfect neighbor' among the slain in mass shooting

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Michelle "Missy" Langer worked as an administrative assistant in public utilities for 12 years.

Michelle "Missy" Langer of Virginia Beach

Missy Langer was an administrative assistant with 12 years in public utilities.

After the shooting, Langer's sister, Debbie Borato, said she was a mix of angry and heartbroken; the two had been planning to go on vacation together right before the shooting took place.

RELATED: Mass shooting victim Missy Langer was supposed to be on vacation with her sister

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Robert "Bobby" Williams was a special projects coordinator in public utilities for 41 years.

Robert "Bobby" Williams of Chesapeake

Bobby Williams was a special projects coordinator with 41 years in public utilities.

His family issued this statement after his death:

“Our beloved husband, father, and PopPop was a private man of few words. We feel the best way we can honor his memory would be for everyone to allow us to grieve our loss in the same way. We would ask that members of the media please respect our wishes and allow us to grieve in private with our family and friends. Thank you for respecting our wishes and the precious legacy of a wonderful man.”

Credit: City of Virginia Beach
Herbert "Bert" Snelling was a contractor, who was in the building to get a permit the day of the attack.

Herbert "Bert" Snelling of Virginia Beach

Bert Snelling was not a city employee, but instead a contractor who was there to file for a permit.

Pete Spitzer said he befriended Snelling a few years ago during a mission trip.

"We were building a church and Bert, the kind and gentle man that he was, somebody that was always there to help people always looking to give his talents," Spitzer said. "He was a giving man and when you go down there and experience the devastation that people have down there it just brings you a bond that's closer between people."

RELATED: Church, friends remember contractor killed in Virginia Beach mass shooting

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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