Investigations underway into shootout that left two dead after ‘person of interest’ opens fire on police officers

COURTHOUSE — A shootout left two people dead after police say a man opened fire at officers trying to take him into custody late Saturday, Sept. 5, in a parking lot outside a convenience store at the intersection of Salem and Lynnhaven roads.

Four officers involved in the exchange of gunfire are on administrative duty while the matter is investigated. 

The man, 35-year-old Angelo Delano Perry of Virginia Beach, was a passenger in a car driven by India Kager, 28, of College Park, Md., who also was killed amid the gunfire of an incident that lasted about 15 seconds.  Police said Perry opened fire on the officers from the special operations unit after they approached the vehicle to apprehend him, an attempt that, in part, used a device that produces disorienting light and sound. 

Kager was caught in the ensuing crossfire, Police Chief Jim Cervera told reporters Tuesday, Sept. 8. Perry fired four shots and the officers fired 30 shots in return, Cervera said during a press conference.

“Unfortunately,” the chief said, “Ms. Kager was also struck by rounds.”

Police had no idea the couple’s infant son was in the back seat of the car until the gunfight was over, Cervera said.

The baby wasn’t hit.

Police had been monitoring Perry in connection to a murder investigation, though police would not discuss it in detail. Cervera told reporters that Perry, based upon “credible information,” was believed to have been preparing an act of violence in the city, though no details were released about that, either.

Officers cared for the child, who was not harmed, until he was placed with state officials. Officers bought food, diapers and bottles at a nearby Walmart.

The four officers, all described as veterans, who fired their weapons have been placed on administrative duty, a standard practice. Three investigations will be conducted, including by homicide detectives, the commonwealth’s attorney and an administrative review. None of the officers have previously been involved in officer involved shooting incidents, Cervera said.

Images of weapons – a Tek-9 and a 9mm handgun – showed on a screen behind Cervera while he spoke on Sept. 8. The weapons were recovered from the vehicle. Another photograph showed a green uniform shirt worn by one of the officers that had two bullet holes – one in, one out – on the same sleeve. The officer was not hit. 

Gina Best, Kager’s mother, told The Associated Press that the child in the car is Kager’s son, Roman, who is four months old. Kager is also survived by a son who is four years old, according to The Associated Press, which also reported that Kager served in the Navy in Virginia Beach and Florida.

Kager’s mother told media outlets that her family wants answers about what happened to her daughter. Best told The Associated Press Kager was unarmed and innocent.

“Officers involved in deadly force incidents carry that for the rest of their life,” the chief said at the beginning of his remarks.

He said the incident marked the fourth time in three months that offcers returned fire to defend themselves against armed suspects. Cervera also briefed the city council on the incident on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at City Hall.