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Counter-gang Operation Triple Beam leads to 46 arrests in Hampton Roads; 8 homicide suspects arrested

Brian Reese and Aesia Toliver

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A counter-gang initiative led by U.S. Marshals that included 14 law enforcement agencies from across Hampton Roads resulted in the arrest of 46 fugitives over the last two months, including eight homicide suspects and 20 suspected gang members, authorities announced Wednesday.

Seventeen people were also arrested for shootings and gun offenses as local authorities look to crack down on gun violence affecting their communities.

Many of the alleged gang members have extensive criminal histories, authorities said.

The arrests happened in Norfolk, Chesapeake and across the state, per Norfolk Police Chief Larry Boone, who’s been vocal about the impact of gun violence. Fourteen of the arrests were in Norfolk alone, Boone said, and nine were suspected gang members.

Some were juveniles, including one who’s accused of shooting four children ages 6 to 16 on Madison Avenue in Norfolk on July 2.

“There’s pockets in Hampton Roads that are impacted by poverty and there’s always been a nexus between poverty and gangs. Folks, this isn’t new and we are going to continue to talk about this. We’ll do another operation, and we’ll get up here and say the same things. I don’t say that to minimize our efforts, but I say that because we really need to focus on our youth, the flow of guns, and poverty,” said Boone at the press conference.

Authorities said 36 guns, about $500,000 in narcotics and nearly $40,000 in cash were also seized.

“What we’re seeing on our end on the Peninsula, we aren’t seeing new shooters, we’re seeing the same shooter recycle over and over again. Most of these people have been through multiple programs,” said Hampton Police Investigative Services Assistant Chief Orrin Gallop.

Suspects arrested in Operation Triple Beam by date of arrest, name, and charges:

Here’s what the abbreviations mean:

UFA: Use of Firearm in Commission of a Felony
F/A: firearm
FTA: failure to appear

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