Three arrested after gunfire incident during virginia beach spring break weekend — Virginia Beach Police Department-file photo

The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) announced Wednesday that three men have been arrested in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in the early morning hours of April 27 during Spring Break weekend. The arrests follow an investigation launched after a ShotSpotter alert and multiple 911 calls reported gunfire at the intersection of 23rd Street and Atlantic Avenue.

Officers responded to the scene at approximately 3:18 a.m. and confirmed that shots had been fired. No injuries were reported. The ongoing investigation has since led to the arrest of Nashun Simmons, Jay’nod Harvey, and Mark Aranjo, all in their early twenties and from the Hampton Roads area.

Nashun Simmons, 23, of Hampton, faces multiple charges including being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, concealment of a firearm (second offense), felony destruction of property, and use of a machine gun. He is also charged with reckless handling of a firearm and possession of a switch activator.

Jay’nod Harvey, 22, of Newport News, was charged with firearm possession by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of an extended magazine, and providing false identification to police. He also faces charges related to possessing a trigger activator and wearing a mask while committing a felony.

Mark Aranjo, 23, also of Hampton, was charged with possession of a switch activator and use of a machine gun. All three suspects are in custody as the investigation continues.

Key points

Three men were arrested following gunfire on April 27 near 23rd Street and Atlantic Avenue
No injuries were reported; all suspects face multiple firearm-related felony charges
VBPD confirmed use of ShotSpotter technology to locate the incident

VBPD links arrests to gunfire during busy Spring Break weekend

The arrests come as part of a broader effort by the Virginia Beach Police Department to address public safety concerns during high-traffic events such as Spring Break. Authorities say the use of switch and trigger activators and extended magazines among suspects underscores a growing concern over illegally modified firearms.

The VBPD has not announced any additional suspects or related incidents at this time but noted the investigation remains active.

Three men face serious charges tied to a gunfire incident that disrupted Spring Break festivities in Virginia Beach.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.