
DeWayne Craddock massacred 12 innocent workers at the Virginia Beach municipal center on Friday

This is the crazed gunman who 'brushed his teeth and chatted to a colleague' before 'indiscriminately' shooting dead 12 innocent workers and dying in a police gun battle at the Virginia Beach municipal center on Friday.

DeWayne Craddock, 40, has been described as a 'loner ex-National Guardsman' who had worked for the city for 15 years.

He was wielding two .45 caliber pistols, purchased legally in 2016 and 2018, during the massacre while a warrant search of his home revealed two further legal handguns. Police continue to refuse to say whether there was an intended target or motive to the attack.

Bizarrely, just moments before going on the shooting rampage, Craddock was spotted brushing his teeth in the office restrooms where he exchanged pleasantries with a colleague and wished him a good weekend.

Joseph Scott, an engineering technician with the department of public works, said: 'He was in there brushing his teeth, which he always did after he ate. I said "Hey, how you doing? What are you doing this weekend?" It was just a brief conversation.

'I'm sure I'm going to hear all kinds of things about DeWayne, but I liked him,' Scott told CNN. 'I worked with him. He was what I thought was a good person. When we were together, we would talk about family, friends, things that we were going to do, trips we were going to take and things like that.'

Scott said he worked with Craddock, whom a Virginia government source has called a 'disgruntled employee,' for several years. Scott said he doesn't want the shooter 'painted as an evil person' adding that 'something happened, but it wasn't his nature.'

Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen said at a press conference Saturday that Craddock was employed by the city for 15 years as an engineer, and that Craddock was still employed at the time of the shooting, meaning he possessed a security pass allowing him access to nonpublic areas of the municipal building.

Neither Hansen nor Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera would comment on whether Craddock was facing disciplinary or termination proceedings at the time of the shooting.

Craddock, pictured left in his school yearbook in 1995 and right in 1996, was spotted brushing his teeth in the office restrooms where he exchanged pleasantries with a colleague and wished him a good weekend

Victims (in order): Robert 'Bobby' Williams who worked in public utilities as a special projects coordinator. Herbert 'Bert' Snelling, a contractor and Joshua O. Hardy, a public utilities worker who was an engineering technician

Victims (in order): Christopher Kelly Rapp who worked as an engineer, Richard H. Nettleton who worked in public utilities as an engineer and Ryan Keith Cox who worked in public utilities as an account clerk

Victim (in order): Katherine A. Nixon, Alexander Gusev and Mary Louise Gayle

Victim: Tara Welsch Gallagher, a public worker and engineer and Laquita C. Brown, a public works agent and right-of-way agent and Michelle 'Missy' Langer, a public utilities and administrative assistant

Craddock enlisted in the Virginia National Guard in April 1996, according to spokesman A.A. Puryear, after graduating in 1996 from Denbigh High School in Newport News. He was assigned to the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a 13B cannon crew member.

After studying civil engineering at Old Dominion University he started at the Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities.

A press conference at 3pm Saturday gave further insight to the shooter, who began his rampage at around 4pm Friday.

A city spokesperson said: 'Virginia beach is a city of heroes, the strength is the people and there's no doubt going forward we will define ourselves s a city of love and compassion. This is going to be a long term thing.'

Neighbors told WAVY Craddock kept to himself. Cassetty Howerin said: 'You heard him walking around; he would drop stuff at like 2 a.m., and me and my roommate would try to figure out what he was doing.

'In the year I've been there, we've maybe had three conversations and that's about it. I know what gym he goes to. That's about it.

'I never saw him take trash out, never saw him bring groceries in, never saw people coming in or out. He was very to himself.'

Another neighbor - Clarisa Morel, 22, - told CNN Craddock was in front of his apartment with two others smoking what smelled like marijuana around two months ago.

She added: 'He catcalled me. He said, 'Oh, hey girl, how you doing,' stuff like that. I was intimidated by him. I know when I'm uneasy about people.'

Craddock’s department director, Bob Montague, told The Washington Post: 'There is no answer to explain an event like this.'

His family posted this note on their front door: 'The family of DeWayne Craddock wishes to send our heart felt condolences to the victims. We are grieving the loss of our loved one.

'At this time we wish to focus on the victims and the lives loss during yesterdays tragic event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who loss their lives, and those recovering in the hospital.'

Samantha Anderson (front), six, looks up at her mother Christine Anderson, 40, as she pray's in front of the memorial near the site of Friday's mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center

Boards secure the front door of a house of shooting suspect DeWayne Craddock on Saturday

Outpouring of emotion: Residents of the Virginia Beach area were unable to hide their grief at the tragic shooting on Saturday

Grief: Governor Northam, Senator DeSteph, and Virginia Beach officials speak as a crowd gathers outside of the Strawbridge Regal Cinemas for prayer vigil the morning after a shooter opened fire at the nearby Virginia Beach Municipal Center

People gather for a public prayer service organized by Lifehouse Virginia Beach in the parking lot of a shopping center the day after a mass shooting left 12 innocent people dead

A press conference at 3pm Saturday gave further insight to the shooter, who began his rampage at around 4pm Friday. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks to the press about a mass shooting

The 12 victims are named Laquita C. Brown - Public works - Right-of-way agent

Tara Welsch Gallagher - Public works - Engineer

Mary Louise Gayle - Public works - Right-of-way agent

Alexander Mikhail Gusev - Public works - Right-of-way agent

Katherine A. Nixon - Public utilities - Engineer

Richard H. Nettleton - Public utilities - Engineer

Christopher Kelly Rapp - Public works - Engineer

Ryan Keith Cox - Public utilities - Account clerk

Joshua O. Hardy - Public utilities - Engineering technician

Michelle 'Missy' Langer - Public utilities - Administrative assistant

Robert 'Bobby' Williams - Public utilities - Special projects coordinator

Herbert 'Bert' Snelling - Contractor Advertisement

Some 11 city employees and one contractor, Herbert 'Bert' Snelling, were killed in the shooting. Craddock was killed in the ensuing gunbattle with police. One police officer was hurt but was expected to recover.

One of the dead employees had worked for the city for 41 years. Six worked in the same department as Craddock, though authorities have declined to say if anyone was specifically targeted or if the suspect had issued threats before. The victims were found throughout the building, on three floors, police said.

One of the dead, Christopher Kelly Rapp of Powhatan, enjoyed Scottish music and joined a pipe band last 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.

Another victim, Mary Louise Gayle of Virginia Beach, 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.

The other employees who were killed were identified as Tara Welch Gallagher, Alexander Mikhail Gusev, Katherine A. Nixon, Ryan Keith Cox, Joshua O. Hardy and Michelle 'Missy' Langer, all of Virginia Beach; Laquita C. Brown and Robert 'Bobby' Williams, both of Chesapeake; and Richard H. Nettleton of Norfolk. The 12th victim, Herbert 'Bert' Snelling of Virginia Beach, was a contractor who was in the building to seek a permit.

The police and fire departments were to assign members of their honor guards to help each victim's family.

Cathy Whitley, Brenda Flowers and Renee Gathers pray during a service organized by Lifehouse Virginia Beach in the parking lot of a local shopping center the day after a mass shooting

DeWayne Craddock, a longtime city employee, opened fire at the building Friday before police shot and killed him

David Moore wipes tears away while praying with community members, left. Tears run down the face of Deta Green, right

Kristal Davis, sister-in-law to shooting victim Ryan Keith Cox, embraces Mary Owens outside of the crime scene

Craddock is said to have engaged in a 'long term gun battle' with the first four officers on the scene after carrying out his massacre before being fatally shot by police on Friday afternoon.

President Trump sent his condolences to the families of the victims, via twitter. He wrote: 'Spoke to Governor @RalphNortham last night, and the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Virginia Beach this morning, to offer condolences to that great community. The Federal Government is there, and will be, for whatever they may need. God bless the families and all!

The gunman is said to have shot one victim in his vehicle outside the building before continuing his rampage and killing people across all three floors of the offices. Four others were injured including a police officer.

He is said to have used a .45 caliber handgun complete with a suppressor and multiple extended magazines.

Unlike some states, silencers are legal in Virginia, though it is illegal to have one in Virginia Beach per local ordinance.

Police say they have recovered 'additional weapons' that were in the possession of the suspect.

The shooting happened shortly after 4pm when the veteran employee of the Public Utilities Department entered a building in the city's Municipal Center, and 'immediately began to indiscriminately fire upon all of the victims,' Cervera said.

Tragedy: Police have so been far unwilling to reveal whether there was an intended target or motive to the senseless attack

Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen said at a press conference Saturday that Craddock had been employed by the city for 15 years as an engineer. Hansen said Craddock was still employed at the time of the shooting Friday afternoon and possessed a security pass that allowed him access to nonpublic areas of the municipal building

An emotional Cervera speaking Friday added: 'We know who the suspect is. We have not been successful in notifying certain family members.

'We're gonna mention his name once and then he will be forever referred to as the suspect because our focus now is the dignity and respect for the victims in this case and to their families.'

Cervera said police officers 'immediately engaged with the suspect', adding: 'I can tell you that it was a long gun battle between those four officers and that suspect.'

Mayor Bobby Dyer called the massacre 'the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach.

'The people involved are our friends, coworkers, neighbors and colleagues. Today is Virginia Beach's darkest hour.'

The injured officer is expected to survive and police chief Cevera confirmed he was saved by his bulletproof vest. He is reported to be a sergeant with department for more than ten years.

The shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the municipal center, which is adjacent to City Hall.

The building houses the city's public works, public utilities and planning departments, according to City Councilwoman Barbara Henley, who arrived at City Hall building Friday just after the shooting.

Workers there are said to be in small offices with unlocked doors, open to the public, and along long hallways.

Officers entered the building, which houses around 400 workers, and got out as many employees as they could before exchanging fire with the suspect, who was then killed, the police chief said.

Cervera added: 'I want you to know that during this gun battle, basically the officers stopped this individual from committing more carnage in that building.'

Law enforcement had initially said the gunman shot and killed 11 people. Cervera later said one more died on the way to the hospital and that the city offices now resemble a 'war zone'.

Virginia Beach PD had earlier tweeted: 'ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION-municipal center, building 2. Multiple injuries. At this time it is believed that only 1 shooter, and they have been taken into custody. More to follow.

'Please avoid the municipal center area. PAO staging area is being set up at the ECCS center reference the Active Shooter incident.'

The shooting happened shortly after 4pm when the veteran employee of the Public Utilities Department entered a building in the city's Municipal Center, and 'immediately began to indiscriminately fire upon all of the victims'

Mourners pray on June 1, 2019, for the victims of the mass shooting, during an improvised vigil in a parking lot of a shopping center in Virginia, Beach, Virginia

Mourners pray on June 1, 2019, for the victims of the mass shooting, during an improvised vigil in a parking lot of a shopping center in Virginia, Beach, Virginia

A tear rolls down the face of Brenda Flowers, of Brentwood, Tenn., during a vigil Saturday. One of the dead employees had worked for the city for 41 years. Six worked in the same department as Craddock, though authorities have declined to say if anyone was specifically targeted or if the suspect had issued threats before.

Kristal Davis, sister-in-law to shooting victim Ryan Keith Cox, said he was an accountant in the pubic utilities department and had helped a group of people escape the building and had re-entered the building to help evacuate others when he was shot

The municipal building was open to the public, but security passes were required to enter inner offices, conference rooms and other work areas. As a current employee, Craddock would have had the pass to enter the inner offices

The deadliest mass shootings in the United States in the last two years Feb. 15, 2019: Gary Martin killed five co-workers at a manufacturing plant in Aurora, Illinois, during a disciplinary meeting where he was fired. He wounded one other employee and five of the first police officers to arrive at the suburban Chicago plant before he was killed during a shootout police. Nov. 7, 2018: Ian David Long killed 12 people at a country music bar in Thousand Oaks, California, before taking his own life. Long was a Marine combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Oct. 27, 2018: Robert Bowers is accused of opening fire at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, during Shabbat morning services, killing 11 and injuring others. It's the deadliest attack on Jews in the U.S. in history. June 28, 2018: Jarrod Ramos shot through the windows of the Capital Gazette offices in Annapolis, Maryland, before turning the weapon on employees there, killing five at The Capital newspaper. Authorities say Ramos had sent threatening letters to the newspaper prior to the attack. May 18, 2018: Dimitrios Pagourtzis began shooting during an art class at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. The 17-year-old killed eight students and two teachers and 13 others were wounded. Explosive were found at the school and off campus. Feb. 14, 2018: Nikolas Cruz shot and killed 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It surpassed Columbine High School as the deadliest shooting at a high school in U.S. history. Nov. 5, 2017: Devin Patrick Kelley, who had been discharged from the Air Force after a conviction for domestic violence, used an AR-style firearm to shoot up a congregation at a small church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing more than two dozen. Oct. 1, 2017: Stephen Paddock opened fire on an outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip from the 32nd floor of a hotel-casino, killing 58 people and wounding more than 500. SWAT teams with explosives then stormed his room and found he had killed himself. Advertisement

Images from the scene Friday showed a heavy police presence with workers crying and comforting one another as they were evacuated from the building.

Virginia governor Ralph Northam called the shooting 'senseless violence'.

'That they should be taken in this manner is the worst kind of tragedy,' the governor said during a Friday night news conference.

Administrative assistant Megan Banton was in Building 2 and said workers barricaded themselves in offices and were told 'this is not a drill'.

She works in the building where the shooting happened and said called 911 when she heard gunshots.

Megan said: 'I have an 11-month old baby at home and all I could think about was him and trying to make it home to him.

'We tried to do everything we could to keep everybody safe. We were all just terrified.

'It felt like it wasn't real, like we were in a dream. You are just terrified because all you can hear is the gunshots.'

She said she texted her mom, telling her that there was an active shooter in the building and she and others were waiting for police.

Banton works in an office of about 20 people that is part of the public works department.

'Thank God my baby is OK,' Banton's mother, Dana Showers, said.

Singer Pharrell Williams, who hails from Virginia Beach, tweeted: 'We are praying for our city, the lives that were lost, their families and everyone affected.

'We are resilient. We will not only get through this, but we'll come out of this stronger than before we always do.'

The shooter's neighbor Cassetty Howerin, 23, said she heard him awake at all hours.

She told WAVY: 'I'm petrified, because I live right under him so that could've been easily me, or my girlfriend, or my roommate.

'He seemed like a nice guy, he introduced himself when we first moved in, it's just crazy.'

A Virginia State Police vehicle blocks a roadway to a municipal building, seen at top left, that was the scene of a shooting, Saturday, June 1, 2019, in Virginia Beach, Va

The tragic victims of the a Virginia Beach municipal center who were gunned down by a city employee wielding a 'modified handgun' before he was killed by police following an intense and long running gun battle have been pictured

The shooting has sent shock waves through Virginia Beach, the state's largest city and a popular vacation spot in southeastern Virginia.

The building where the attack took place is in a suburban complex miles away from the high-rise hotels along the beach and the downtown business area.

City Councilman Michael Berlucchi confirmed the Virginia Beach Police Department had planned to hold active shooter training on Saturday.

Congresswoman Elaine Luria, who represents Virginia Beach, said in statement: 'This is a day that will change Virginia Beach forever.

'I grieve for those who lost their lives, their families, and everyone who loved them. I wish a speedy recovery to all who are injured, and I thank the first responders, medical personnel, and law enforcement for their invaluable bravery and service.

'Now is the time for healing, coming together, and determining ways to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again.'

The shooter opened fire in Building 2 of the municipal center, which is adjacent to City Hall