Virginia Beach family mourns loss of 26-year-old Shane Brooks after fatal shooting

Shane Brooks was killed in an early morning shooting on March 5, and a 19-year-old woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Virginia Beach family is mourning the death of 26-year-old Shane Brooks after a fatal shooting early March 5 in the Lynnhaven area. According to court documents, emergency communications received a call shortly after 1 a.m. from 19-year-old Ember McSpadden, who reported she had shot her partner while they were playing a game. Police responded and found Brooks with a gunshot wound, and he died at the scene. McSpadden has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Why it matters

The shooting death of Shane Brooks, a 26-year-old National Guard veteran and active member of the local running community, has devastated his family and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and the need for greater awareness and education around firearm safety, particularly in domestic settings.

The details

According to the police report, officers responded to a call shortly after 1 a.m. on March 5 in the Lynnhaven area of Virginia Beach. They found Shane Brooks with a gunshot wound, and he died at the scene. The 19-year-old woman, Ember McSpadden, was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Brooks' family described him as the "glue that held our family together," and said he had recently graduated from Old Dominion University and served in the National Guard, including a tour in Iraq.

  • The incident occurred early in the morning on March 5, 2026.
  • Emergency communications received the call shortly after 1 a.m.

The players

Shane Brooks

A 26-year-old Virginia Beach resident who recently graduated from Old Dominion University and served for 10 years in the National Guard, including a tour in Iraq. He was an active member of the North End Running Club and described as the "glue that held our family together" by his mother.

Ember McSpadden

A 19-year-old woman who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of Shane Brooks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I found out, it was soul-crushing. I don't even know how to describe the deepest sadness anyone could ever feel, beyond anything I can express. It took a part of me.”

— Penny Brooks, Shane Brooks' mother (13newsnow.com)

“As we grew older, we leaned on each other so much to get through it, and he's been there every step of the way.”

— Hunter Brooks, Shane Brooks' brother (13newsnow.com)

“He was kind of like a father figure for Olivia. He was just such a big part of our lives and who we were.”

— Penny Brooks, Shane Brooks' mother (13newsnow.com)

What’s next

The Virginia Beach Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and the 19-year-old woman charged with involuntary manslaughter is expected to appear in court in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Shane Brooks has devastated his family and highlighted the ongoing issue of gun violence, particularly in domestic settings. This case underscores the need for greater education and awareness around firearm safety to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.