VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) responded to a ShotSpotter alert on September 6 in the 900 block of Atlantis Drive, finding a dog that had been shot multiple times in both front and rear legs. The canine did not survive surgery on the following day.
Detectives identified Elijah Spellman, 30, of Virginia Beach as the suspect. Spellman was located in Georgia on September 12 by the VBPD Warrant Fugitive Squad, working in coordination with the Atlanta Police Department.
He is awaiting extradition to Virginia Beach and is charged with Felony Animal Cruelty, Discharging a Gun within City Limits, Reckless Handling of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Violent Felon.