VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – In the early hours of October 29, 2023, Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) swiftly responded to a report of a gunshot wound victim in the 3900 block of Bonney Road.
At 1:05 A.M., the Virginia Beach Emergency Communications and Citizen Services (ECCS) received the distress call, alerting law enforcement to the incident. Upon arrival, VBPD officers discovered a 37-year-old male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The injured individual was promptly transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition, expected to make a full recovery.
The responsive actions of the Third Precinct Crime Suppression Squad (CSS) and a VBPD K9 Unit were instrumental in the swift resolution of this incident. Two individuals, Zakaria Horton (27-year-old female) and Verlandon Smith (37-year-old male), both hailing from Norfolk, were apprehended in connection with the shooting.
Horton, facing a litany of charges, including Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, Shooting in City Limits resulting in Injury, and Carrying a Concealed Firearm without a Permit, is now in custody. Additionally, Smith has been arrested and charged with a separate firearm violation, specifically, Felon in Possession of a Firearm.