Man Brandishing Fake Firearm Shot by Police at Self-Storage Facility

An 18-year-old man was shot by police Wednesday morning at a Virginia Beach self-storage facility after allegedly brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. The incident occurred at AAAA Self Storage, located at 4656 Honeygrove Road.

Authorities say Shaun Marlar pointed what was later identified as a replica handgun at an unidentified individual. Surveillance footage captured earlier that morning—around 8:40 a.m.—shows Marlar attempting to break into a vehicle and trying to enter Honeygrove Learning Academy, a neighboring daycare facility. “He went to his waist, and that was the scariest thing, because I just thought he was going to shoot through my door,” said Kyrah Ikpe, owner of the daycare.

After moving to the AAAA property, Marlar reportedly aimed the fake weapon at an unknown target, then emerged from around a corner and pointed it at responding officers. Police opened fire and struck Marlar.

As a precaution, both Honeygrove Learning Academy and nearby Old Donation School were placed on lockdown during the incident. Marlar was transported to the hospital and is listed in critical but stable condition. No other injuries were reported. He faces two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer and three counts of brandishing a weapon.

10WAVY News spoke to Marlar's father, who asked not to be named. He says that Marlar was living with his mother and working with a construction sub-contractor, but stopped showing up on Monday. "My heart is broken," his father said. "I’m terrified for the people that he had an effect on, and I’m terribly sorry for what they’ve gone through, but super glad that nobody got hurt."

The Virginia Beach Police Department and the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney are conducting separate investigations into the incident. Jude Brenya with the VBPD called the incident an “unfortunate situation.”

“I don’t think any officer in this profession wants to discharge their firearm,” Brenya said. “That’s something we don’t want to do. But sometimes, there’s a situation that dictates we do. That’s not something we want, that’s not something we like.”

AAAA Self Storage is owned by The Nicholson Companies, which operates 45 self-storage locations across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.