In the fading light of a December afternoon in Virginia Beach, a traffic stop over a stolen car spiraled into a fatal encounter for a 28-year-old Norfolk man, Deshawn Whitaker. The events that unfolded on December 1, 2022, began when a Virginia Beach police officer identified a vehicle that had been reported stolen. When the officer attempted to apprehend Mr. Whitaker, he fled on foot. The officer then tried to arrest a female passenger, who was later identified as Mr.
Whitaker's wife, Jacqueline Ortiz-Whitaker.
As the officer struggled with Ms. Ortiz-Whitaker, who was reportedly reaching for a firearm, Deshawn Whitaker returned to the scene. It was at this critical juncture that police say he pointed a gun at the officer. In response to this perceived threat, the officer discharged his weapon, firing multiple shots and striking Mr. Whitaker. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of the following day, December 2nd.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Jacqueline Ortiz-Whitaker was taken into custody and faced a number of charges, including possession of a firearm after a domestic violence conviction. Body camera footage released by the Virginia Beach Police Department was said to support the officer's account of the events leading up to the shooting. Following a trial, Ms. Ortiz-Whitaker was found guilty of several charges, including felony assault on a law enforcement officer. The officer who fired the fatal shots was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident.
