VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — A Virginia Beach man wounded in a shooting last week has been arrested and charged in connection with the same incident that left three people injured, police announced Monday.
On April 14, officers with the Virginia Beach Police Department responded to the 4700 block of Haygood Road following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. All were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
A preliminary investigation identified one of the wounded, Eugene Martin, 36, of Virginia Beach, as a suspect in the shooting. Police took Martin into custody on Saturday.
Martin now faces a range of felony charges, including two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Additional charges include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (second offense), shooting into an occupied dwelling, and discharging a firearm in public.
He is also charged with possession of a firearm while distributing or intending to distribute a Schedule I or II controlled substance, and possession of a Schedule I or II substance with intent to distribute (third offense), according to police.
VBPD addresses gun violence involving repeat offenders
“We are, once again, reporting on an incidence of gun violence involving a felon illegally possessing a firearm,” said VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate. “I can state unequivocally based on 35 years of policing that the number one precursor to shooting violence is felons in possession of firearms.”
Neudigate called on the community and elected officials to push for tougher penalties for felons found with firearms.
Key Points
- Eugene Martin, 36, has been charged in a Virginia Beach shooting that injured three.
- Martin faces multiple felonies, including aggravated malicious wounding and firearms offenses.
- VBPD Chief Paul Neudigate emphasized the link between gun violence and felons with illegal firearms.
Martin remains in custody. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.