A gunman who killed 12 people at a municipal building in Virginia Beach has been named as DeWayne Craddock – an engineer with military training.

Craddock, who was shot dead after a lengthy gun battle, was employed as an engineer with the city's public utilities department, police chief James Cervera said.

Craddock used a handgun fitted with a silencer to kill his victims, and police said "additional weapons" were found both at the scene and at his home.

Mr Cervera declined to discuss a motive.

City manager Dave Hansen said the victims' families had been informed of their deaths through the night by chaplains and family assistance workers.

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It was the "most difficult task anyone will ever have to do", Mr Hansen said, adding that he had worked with most of the victims for many years.

They leave a "void that we will never be able to fill", he said.

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Image: Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen speaking to reporters

Eleven of those who died were employed by the city.Read More – Source

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