5th Anniversary of VB Civic Center Shooting Reviews Memorial Plan

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — It's been five years since a former city employee walked into the Virginia Beach Civic Center with the intention of gunning down his former co-workers.

The WTKR News 3 investigative team continues to monitor new developments and efforts to provide more resources to those affected by the mass shooting.

We met Jason Nixon, whose wife was killed in the shooting.

Nixon was the most outspoken among the families directly affected and fought to get them more resources and money.

“I think fifth grade is actually worse because it’s the real Friday,” Nixon said.

Five years ago, on Friday May 31, the shooter, a municipal engineer, stormed Building 2 and opened fire on his colleagues, hours after resigning from his post.

There were five people injured and 12 killed, including Nixon's wife, Kate.

Nixon has been working for years on the new permanent memorial planned to be located near the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Nimmo Parkway.

Watch coverage from last year: Virginia Beach mass shooting victims remembered 4 years later at vigil

Virginia Beach shooting victims remembered 4 years later at vigil

Nixon said working on the project has been emotional, with several ups and downs, but he is grateful that progress is being made.

“I’m glad the memorial is happening,” Nixon said.

City leaders say they have chosen an architect for the permanent memorial and now have plans for what it will look like. The next step is to select a contractor.

A group that lost loved ones the day of the shooting, called 5/31 Families United, and others are fighting to get more money and resources for those affected by the tragedy.

Attorney Justin Fairfax said he represented seven of the 12 families who suffered a loss that day. On Thursday, he sent a letter to the Virginia Beach City Council requesting a vote in favor of formal, non-binding mediation to discuss sustainable mental health services, implementation of the state commission's report recommendations and increased financial support for families.

“It’s about identifying areas where there are persistent, unmet needs and opportunities,” Fairfax said.

He said more could be done to support affected families.

The families had requested $40 million from the state budget. They didn't receive that money in 2023, but the General Assembly approved $10 million for the Virginia Mass Violence Care Fund.

Joe Samaha, whose daughter was killed in the 2007 Virginia Tech mass shooting, created the group VTV Family Outreach Foundation and lobbied for the fund.

However, this money is not immediately available.

He said there is currently a task force that is developing legislation that would determine how the $10 million will be invested and spent to help people recover from mass violence in the state.

He added that the money could be used for needs not covered by insurance.

The VB Strong Center, an organization in partnership with Sentara and the city, was created through a grant designed to be a place that helps those who are struggling.

The grant money runs out in September.

Sentara provided us with the following statement:

Watch related story: Virginia Beach Police Dedicate New Headquarters in Renovated Building 2

Virginia Beach Police Dedicate New Headquarters in Renovated Building 2

As for Nixon and his family, they are grateful that the memorial advances their path to healing.

“This is something that is going to be permanent in the city of Virginia Beach,” Nixon said. “My kids can come here and know that their mother mattered to Virginia Beach.”

Nixon says the memorial should be completed by 2026.