Norfolk’s Commonwealth’s Attorney revealed details of two police shootings where officers confronted armed suspects, both of whom survived and now face criminal charges.
At a Glance
- Two separate police shootings occurred in Norfolk, Virginia on April 25 and April 27, 2024
- Both suspects allegedly pointed weapons at officers before being shot and are expected to survive
- The female suspect faces charges of assault and battery, grand larceny, and brandishing a firearm
- The male suspect will be charged with reckless handling of a firearm and shooting in city limits
- Commonwealth’s Attorney Fatehi expressed concerns about mental health issues and irresponsible gun ownership
Details of the Police Shootings
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi held a press conference on Monday to address two separate police shootings that occurred in Norfolk over the weekend. The first incident took place on April 25, involving a female suspect identified as Charlene D. Carey-Chavez. According to officials, when officers approached Carey-Chavez and asked her to put down her bag, she instead pulled out a weapon and pointed it at the officers. Police responded by shooting the suspect, who was subsequently hospitalized.
The second incident occurred in the early morning hours of April 27. A male suspect reportedly refused officers’ commands to drop his weapon, resulting in police opening fire. Like the female suspect from the earlier incident, the male suspect was also hospitalized for his injuries and is expected to recover. Fatehi confirmed that both suspects survived their injuries and will face criminal charges upon release from medical care.
Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi ruled that police were "justified" in the 2024 shooting of Santonio Lee. Body camera footage revealed Monday.
https://t.co/IXNmSqkKPE— WTKR News 3 (@WTKR3) January 28, 2025
Pending Criminal Charges
Carey-Chavez will face multiple serious charges once released from the hospital, including assault and battery, grand larceny, and brandishing a firearm. The male suspect from the Sunday incident will be charged with reckless handling of a firearm and shooting within city limits. These charges reflect the serious nature of pointing weapons at law enforcement officers and the resulting public safety risks.
During the press conference, Fatehi categorized police-involved shootings into two distinct types. The first involves dangerous individuals attempting to avoid incarceration, while the second involves armed individuals suffering from mental illness. He emphasized that both scenarios present significant challenges for law enforcement and the community at large, particularly when weapons are involved.
Broader Issues Identified
Fatehi used the press conference to highlight broader societal concerns contributing to such incidents. He expressed significant criticism regarding the current administration’s handling of social and mental health programs, suggesting that inadequate resources and support for mental health services have contributed to these types of confrontations. The Commonwealth’s Attorney pointed to what he described as serious deficiencies in the mental health system and gun control measures.
The press conference, held outside the courthouse on St. Paul’s Boulevard, concluded with Fatehi emphasizing the urgent need for better management of both mental health issues and gun ownership in the community. He suggested that without addressing these underlying issues, law enforcement will continue to face dangerous confrontations with armed individuals, putting both officers and the public at risk.
