Norfolk Police Open Fire After Woman Allegedly Aims Weapon at Officers, Leaving Her in Critical Condition – Authorities Launch Investigation into Friday Afternoon Shooting

 

By Staff Reporter | April 25, 2025 | Norfolk, Virginia

A tense and rapidly unfolding situation in Norfolk, Virginia, has drawn significant attention after police officers shot a woman who allegedly pointed a weapon at them during a confrontation on Friday afternoon. The incident, which took place in the 7600 block of Sewells Point Road, has left the woman with life-threatening injuries and raised fresh concerns surrounding the use of force and police interactions with civilians.

According to a preliminary statement from Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone, officers responded to the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. following reports of a “disturbance involving a possibly armed individual.” Upon arriving at the location—a residential and commercial area situated near local businesses and apartment complexes—officers encountered a woman who reportedly matched the description provided by 911 callers.

What happened in the critical moments that followed remains under investigation, but authorities say that the woman allegedly brandished a firearm and pointed it in the direction of responding officers. Police opened fire in response, striking her multiple times. She was immediately provided medical assistance at the scene by emergency responders before being transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in critical condition.

As of Friday evening, no officers were reported injured in the incident.

“This is a deeply serious matter,” Chief Boone told reporters during a brief press conference held outside police headquarters. “Any time a firearm is discharged—particularly by a law enforcement officer—there must be a thorough and transparent investigation. We are working diligently to determine the facts of what occurred today on Sewells Point Road.”

The identity of the woman has not yet been released pending notification of family. Authorities have not disclosed her age, background, or any prior history with law enforcement. A firearm was recovered at the scene, according to investigators, though further forensic analysis is pending.

Residents in the surrounding area reported hearing multiple gunshots and described a chaotic scene as police units quickly arrived and blocked off access to the street.

“I heard three loud pops and then saw cops yelling and pointing their guns,” said Marcus Langley, a local mechanic whose shop is located just a few hundred feet from the incident. “It was scary. You don’t expect something like this in the middle of the afternoon.”

Another eyewitness, 32-year-old Tanisha Graves, said she saw a woman “walking erratically” moments before the shooting. “She looked confused or scared. I couldn’t tell what was going on, but everything happened so fast.”

Police cordoned off a wide perimeter around the scene for several hours as detectives from the department’s Major Crimes Unit and forensic teams gathered evidence, interviewed witnesses, and reviewed surveillance footage from nearby buildings. The Virginia State Police has also been notified, and the department confirmed that body-worn camera footage from the involved officers is currently under review.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol during investigations of this nature, Chief Boone confirmed.

The incident has sparked renewed discussion around police use of force in high-stakes situations, particularly in communities where trust between law enforcement and residents has historically been strained.

Civil rights advocates and community leaders are calling for transparency and accountability.

“We understand that officers are sometimes put in extremely difficult situations,” said Kamila Johnson, director of the Norfolk Justice Coalition. “But we also know that too many interactions between police and civilians—especially those involving mental health or distress—end in violence. We are asking for a full, independent review of what happened and for bodycam footage to be released to the public as soon as possible.”

At this time, authorities have not confirmed whether mental health played a role in the incident or whether any prior calls for service involving the woman had occurred earlier that day. Police have indicated that more information will be shared as the investigation progresses.

The Norfolk Police Department is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or may have video footage to come forward to assist with the investigation. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or via the department’s online tip portal.

As the community awaits further answers, the shooting underscores the fragile and often volatile nature of police encounters—especially in a climate where public scrutiny of law enforcement practices remains high.

“This is a developing and tragic situation,” said Chief Boone. “We owe it to everyone involved—and to the public—to get this right.”