Communities in both New Jersey and Virginia Beach are mourning the loss of Virginia Beach Patrolman Christopher Reese, a South Jersey native who was shot Friday night while conducting a traffic stop with another officer.

"Prayers are with the families and the members of the Virginia Beach Police Department, on the tragic loss of their two officers - Ptl. Christopher Reese and Ptl. Cameron Girvin. Ptl. Reese was originally from the South Jersey area, and his father is a retired Police Officer from the Camden City Police Department," The Gloucester Township Police Department wrote on Facebook.

Reese, 30, was a member of the 72nd Police Academy in Virginia Beach and was sworn in as a certified officer on July 29, 2022, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department. While conducting routine patrol with his 25-year-old partner, Patrolman Girvin, at approximately 11:27 p.m. on Friday, the officers observed a vehicle with an expired license plate and attempted to stop the driver. Virginia Police Chief Paul Neudigate said in a press conference that the driver "failed to yield."

The vehicle was followed to a dead-end street where the driver, later identified as John McCoy III, 42, eventually exited the vehicle. Neudigate said the suspect began arguing with the officers and a "tussle" ensued, at which time McCoy pulled a pistol from his pocket and shot both officers. Once on the ground, the suspect shot both officers a second time, the chief said.

First responders arrived at the location and attempted life-saving measures. Both officers were transported to local hospitals. Reese succumbed to his injuries, surrounded by family, friends and police, just after midnight, Neudigate said. Girvin died a few hours later, around 4:30 a.m.

Police later found McCoy inside a shed with a gunshot wound to the head that they believe was self-inflicted. He has previously been convicted of a felony in 2009, according to authorities.

Following their deaths, law enforcement agencies throughout the country, including New Jersey, offered condolences.

A GoFundMe page has also been established to help the Reese family. The age has raised nearly $32,000.