Watch: Violent brawl at a VA beach prompts police investigation
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – A video of a violent brawl at a Virginia beach has launched a police investigation in Hampton.
Hampton Police released a statement on Thursday, along with pictures of a suspect from the video.
Let us be clear, we are actively investigating the video showing a violent fight at Buckroe Beach yesterday. The video is being analyzed, enhanced, and those involved will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Buckroe Beach will remain a safe place for families and residents to enjoy, and anyone who wishes to engage in violent activity in this area will be arrested, taken to jail, and prosecuted.
According to police, multiple calls were received about a large crowd and fight at the beach around 7:40 p.m. By the time officers arrived the crowd had mostly left, and the people who were still there were reportedly uncooperative.
Resident Emily Smith was walking her dogs around the time of the fight, but didn’t know what had happened until WAVY.com showed her the video.
Smith said she saw several teenagers running from the park as she walked through the area. Then she says she saw officers arrive at the scene and even saw them search a person at one point.
Thomas Hooks grew up in Buckroe Beach, and said he won’t take his own children to the area now. He said, teenagers have been causing problems in the area for a while now.
“To have a good time back in the day 20 years ago, everybody said Buckroe Beach,” said Hooks. “Now it’s anywhere but Buckroe Beach. They want to go somewhere else.”
Hooks was concerned because you can easily see someone holding a small child in the fight video. There is also a young man who is holding what appears to be a weapon. He said he’s so frustrated with Tuesday’s incident, he and friends are considering starting a neighborhood watch for the beach area.
Police say those involved in the incident will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
They also say they are still waiting to be contacted by the victim, and are encouraging him to come to them with regard to this incident.
