An off-duty Virginia State Police special agent fatally shot a 40-year-old man who allegedly attempted to break into his home on Sunday, August 24.
The agent, a 10-year veteran of the force whose identity has not been released, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.
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The confrontation unfolded around 11:45 a.m. at the agent’s house on Lee Road in the Bay Colony area near the Oceanfront and Linkhorn Bay in Virginia Beach. According to preliminary findings from the Virginia State Police, the suspect, John Gregory Conner, approached the front door and tried to force his way inside.
What began as an attempted burglary escalated into a physical altercation between Conner and the agent. During the struggle, the agent fired his service weapon and shot Conner. Wavy 10 reported that neighbors stated there were four to six gunshots.
According to VSP, the agent rendered emergency medical aid to Conner at the scene but he was pronounced Conner dead on-site by Virginia Beach EMS. Contrary to an initial report, Conner was not transported to a hospital, VSP later clarified.
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The agent sustained moderate injuries and was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment, VSP also reported.
Residents in the Bay Colony neighborhood told Wavy 10 they saw the man walking around before the incident. One resident who claimed to see someone on Friday that she believes was Conner described said he appeared to be having a mental health crisis. He definitely came off like he was not mentally well,” she said.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Richmond Field Office is handling the ongoing probe.
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