VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — On Wednesday, Virginia Beach City Council selected a firm to conduct an independent investigation into the mass shooting that took place at the municipal center on May 31.
Council members chose Hillard Heintze, a security risk management consulting firm out of Chicago, to look at the shooting from an outside perspective.
The decision to start an external investigation came after some families of the victims and several residents wanted investigators who had no ties to the city.
City Auditor Lyndon Remias said the independent firm must begin its investigation no later than August 15, but Remias noted his office is ahead of schedule.
A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 23 at 4 p.m. in Building 19 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center to introduce members of the Hillard Heintze’s investigatory team.
As directed by the City Council’s resolution, the City Auditor’s Office was to review all proposals submitted to perform the independent review of the May 31 tragedy.
City Auditor Lyndon Remias said, “the proposal submitted by Hillard Heintze was selected as the best proposal and it is the City’s intention to award the contract accordingly.”
View the firm's contract with Virginia Beach below:
The projected end date for the investigation would be the beginning of October. The total cost from the City of Virginia Beach is $463,375.
The team that Hillard Heintze has assigned will consist of the following:
- Four Former Secret Service agents including one who heads the firm’s Threat and Violence Risk Management practice. Will perform review of security policies, procedures, and practices. Will perform a physical security assessment of the Virginia Beach Municipal Center.
- Two Law Enforcement Officers – one who is a retired police chief from San Jose, Calif., and the other a retired deputy chief from Houston, Tex. They will review all issues relating to police response and obstacles faced.
- Two Attorneys – One who is the firm’s General Counsel and the other who is a Supreme Court of Virginia certified mediator specializing in human resource issues including toxic work environments.
- Two Certified Fraud Examiners - Skilled in forensic auditing who will perform a thorough data footprint of the shooter and will perform data mining and analysis.
- One Mental Health Expert – A licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. This individual will conduct a retrospective indirect threat assessment and risk evaluation of the shooter.
Here's the list of 15 firms that made a bid:
- Augustus Global: Harwood Heights, IL
- Chris Swecker Law: Charlotte, NC
- CNA: Arlington, VA
- DLA Piper, LLC: Washington, DC
- FH + H, PLLC: Tysons, VA
- Fishwick & Associates: Roanoke, VA
- Freeh Group International Solutions LLC: Wilmington, DE
- Gentry Locke Attorneys: Roanoke, VA
- Hillard Heintze: Chicago, Illinois
- Kroll, a division of Duff & Phelps: New York, NY
- Police Foundation: Washington, DC
- Professional Investigations: Williamsburg, VA
- SIGMA Threat Management Associates LLC: Alexandria, VA
- The Volkov Law Group LLC: Washington, DC
- Wolcott|Rivers|Gates Attorneys at Law: Virginia Beach, VA
Mayor Dyer expects the police criminal investigation to wrap up in August.
Hillard Heintze is a law-enforcement and risk management consulting company. It supports clients across the globe through six practices: Security Risk Management, Security Design, Threat + Violence Risk Management, Private Client and Family Office Services, Investigations and Law Enforcement Consulting.
On the firm's website, Arnette Heintze, Hillard Heintze founder and Jensen Hughes Global Security President said they see their role as trusted advisors as a noble and honorable pursuit.