NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk police officer Brian Jones was one of three people killed in a shootout Friday night.
Police received a call for shots fired at 10:38 p.m. in the 8400 block of Chesapeake Boulevard in Norfolk.
The suspect, 29-year-old James Brown, was seen randomly firing a gun from a red vehicle as he drove Southbound on Chesapeake Boulevard.
One of the bullets struck and killed 17-year-old Mark Rodriguez.
Officer Jones and an off-duty Norfolk police officer located the suspect’s unoccupied vehicle and approached it to investigate.
As they approached, police said the suspect opened fire from inside his home and both officers were shot several times.
The officers were taken to the hospital. Officer Jones died early Saturday morning.
“Brown fled the scene by vehicle, travelling northbound on Galveston Avenue. The suspect vehicle sped across East Little Creek Road and hit another car. Brown exited his vehicle with a gun and refused to comply with a third officer’s commands,” police said. “As the third officer on scene attempted to arrest Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown began to fight and attempted to disarm the officer. The officer then discharged his firearm while struggling with Mr. Brown.”
Brown died at the scene.
Jones, a five-year veteran of the department, is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.
