Michelle 'Missy' Langer, a 60-year-old woman, was tragically killed on Friday, May 31, 2019, in a mass shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Originally from East Liverpool, Ohio, she had moved to Virginia Beach about 20 years prior and was a cherished member of the community. For the last 12 years of her life, she worked as an administrative assistant for the city's public utilities department.
Known for her vibrant personality and love of life,
Missy was a beloved figure to her friends and family. Her brother remembered her as having a smile that could light up a room. She was an avid fan of the Michigan Wolverines and the Pittsburgh Steelers and enjoyed the beach life that Virginia Beach offered.
The perpetrator of the shooting was identified as DeWayne Craddock, a 40-year-old engineer who was a fellow city employee. On the day of the attack, Craddock had emailed his resignation to his superiors. He then entered Building 2 of the municipal center armed with two. 45-caliber handguns and began shooting indiscriminately. The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including Michelle Langer, and left several others wounded.
The tragic event ended when police confronted the gunman inside the building. A prolonged gunfight ensued, during which Craddock was wounded. He was taken into custody and received first aid from officers but later died at a hospital. As the sole suspect in the mass shooting, his death concluded the immediate search for those responsible. Authorities investigated his motives, but no clear reason for the violent rampage was immediately apparent.
