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Police, Virginia

Virginia Beach woman charged with second-degree murder in Oct. 7 shooting

Chris Graham
norfolk virginia beach
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A Virginia Beach woman now faces a second-degree murder charge in the Oct. 7 shooting death of 59-year-old Eldon Valery.

Kristin Barber, 34, was originally charged with reckless handling of a firearm, use of a firearm in commission of a felony and child neglect in the shooting, which was reported at the intersection of Indian River Road and Lynnhaven Parkway.

Valery was found at the scene with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the upper body and was subsequently transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

The charges were upgraded on Oct. 14 to include additional charges of aggravated malicious wounding and shooting in a vehicle.

Valery died from his injuries on Oct. 30, and following his death, the Virginia Beach Commonwealth Attorney’s Office authorized second-degree murder charges against Barber, who was formally charged on Nov. 25 and remains in custody, according to a release from the Virginia Beach Police Department.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019, and Team of Destiny: Inside Virginia Basketball’s Run to the 2019 National Championship, and The Worst Wrestling Pay-Per-View Ever, published in 2018. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].