Virginia Beach, Va. - The owner of a local Oceanfront pharmacy was killed Monday during a robbery attempt. The suspect then led police on a chase through the city before finally being stopped.
Virginia Beach Police responded to Beach Pharmacy, located at 501 Laskin Road near Baltic Avenue at 10:48 a.m. and learned that a white male who looked to be in his 40s, later identified as 55-year-old Walter Lane Hubbard, had entered the pharmacy and shot the pharmacy's owner, 46-year-old David Kilgore, while demanding items.
At 10:54 a.m., a second armed robbery was reported at the Barr's Rexall Pharmacy, located at 201 17th Street.
Hubbard reportedly entered Barr's Pharmacy, displayed a gun, and demanded items before fleeing.
At 11:08 a.m., officers spotted a vehicle and person matching the Hubbard's description in the 900 block of Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Officers spotted the Hubbard's car driving near Virginia Beach Boulevard and Birdneck Road, and a chase began onto I-264 westbound.
Additional officers attempted to set up a spike strips on the roadway to stop Hubbard.
During the pursuit, Hubbard began firing a gun at the officers. He continued to fire his weapon as he exited I-264 onto Lynnhaven Parkway and turned onto westbound Virginia Beach Boulevard.
Hubbard was able to evade at least one attempt to deploy a spike strip before officers near Independence Boulevard and Virginia Beach Boulevard were able to deploy the spike strip successfully.
Hubbard continued driving westbound on Virginia Beach Boulevard before doing a U-turn at Witchduck Road, hitting another vehicle, and driving eastbound.
After hitting a pickup truck, the Hubbard's vehicle was finally stopped.
Officers converged on him using a Taser and successfully took him into custody.
He was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated. He was then charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery, robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is now being held in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center without bond.
No police officers were injured. Officers say they had to make sure several factors were met during the pursuit, according to department policy.
"Is this person or persons a clear and present danger? Are they an immediate threat?Are they armed? Have they commited a violent felony? Are they going to continue to commit violent felonies if we fail to stop them?"
MPO Jimmy Cason says Beach officers felt the criteria in this case described the situation in front of them. After every pursuit, Beach Police investigate to make sure department rules were followed. But for now, officers are priding themselves on the fact that no one was injured or killed during the chase.
Some drivers have notified police that their vehicles have been shot.
Meanwhile, the community is grieving after the loss of a well-respected citizen.
"He was a wonderful person inside and out. and he made everybody feel like family," said Carolyn Kelsey. "He was always concerned and always there to help."
"Dave Kilgore is a ten plus," said Michael Rudy of Virginia Beach. "I'm not the only person that feels that way. Everyone that knows Dave Kilgore, he's just remarkable."
