On December 1, 2022, a Virginia Beach traffic stop of a vehicle reported stolen escalated into a deadly confrontation for 28-year-old Norfolk resident DaShawn Whitaker. A Virginia Beach officer tried to apprehend Whitaker after identifying the stolen car; Whitaker fled on foot. The officer attempted to arrest a female passenger who was later identified as Whitaker’s wife, Jacqueline Ortiz-Whitaker.

According to police, Ortiz-Whitaker was reaching for a firearm while the officer struggled with her. Whitaker returned to the scene and, police say, pointed a gun at the officer. The officer discharged his weapon, firing multiple shots and striking Whitaker. He was taken to a hospital and died in the early hours of December 2, 2022. Ortiz-Whitaker was taken into custody and charged, and body camera footage released by the Virginia Beach Police Department was said to support the officer’s account; the officer who fired was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Are there details from that afternoon — witness observations or local dashcam video — that could shed more light on the sequence of events?