In the early morning hours of September 28, 2001, a distress call regarding a man threatening suicide set in motion a tragic chain of events in Norfolk, Virginia. Responding to the call were 28-year-old Norfolk Police Officer James B. Gilbert, a White male, and his partner. The suspect, a member of the U.S. Navy, had alerted his father of his intentions, who then notified the Norfolk Naval Station, leading to the dispatch of local police to the off-base apartment.
Upon their arrival at
the residence, the officers found the door open and cautiously entered. Inside, they observed the suspect lying on his bed, a handgun in his hand, seemingly asleep. As the officers approached, the situation took a sudden and violent turn. The suspect unexpectedly opened fire with a. 45 caliber handgun, striking Officer Gilbert in the head.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Officer Gilbert's partner returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect. Officer Gilbert, who had served with the Norfolk Police Department for three years, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He left behind a wife and a six-year-old daughter. Since the sole suspect was killed during the incident, no arrests were made in connection with Officer Gilbert's death. The investigation concluded that the suspect acted alone while in a state of severe emotional distress.
