1 dead, 2 injured in motel shootout

NORFOLK, Va. - The victim shot during a Thursday morning attempted robbery at a Norfolk motel is recovering well at SNGH, police say. The victim's injuries are no longer considered life-threatening.

One of the suspects was killed. Police have identified the suspect as 22-year-old Dante Cooley from Virginia Beach.

A second suspect is listed in grave condition, according to police.

The victim who was shot is an electrical contractor who was helping his team replace lighting in some Norfolk schools, his boss, Mike Collier told WAVY.com.

Collier, of Ben Collier Electric, said as many as 45 of his men have stayed at the Econolodge motel on North Military Highway in Norfolk at some point since mid-December. He estimated 20 were still there Wednesday night. That's when Collier said two of his employees, who he did not identify, became victims of a robbery attempt.

Collier said the pair had finished grilling and were rolling the grill inside when three men forced their way into the room.

Norfolk Police spokesperson Chris Amos said one of the suspects had a gun. One of the contractors also carried a gun and returned fire when the suspect shot at them, Collier said.

Collier said the employee that was armed was shot twice in the stomach, but made it through surgery and is now in stable condition.

"As long as he turns out okay, that's all we care about," said Collier.

Collier said the employee is well enough to speak with detectives.

"He's a quiet guy, not someone you would think this would happen to," he added.

Police initially responded to a shooting call at the Econolodge on South Military Highway around 2:30 a.m. Thursday. Amos said the trio knocked on the door and when one of the men inside opened the door, the trio forced their way inside.

"I didn't hear any shots or anything like that.," motel guest Brian James told WAVY.com. "I just woke up to use the bathroom and saw the flashing lights," he added.

Two suspects were hit, he said; one of them died at the scene. The third suspect ran from the scene in a getaway vehicle.

Police escorted the uninjured contractor from the scene to be questioned.

Collier said the team had moved to the Econolodge to get away from a different hotel because of a shooting there. Collier shrugged when asked if there is any safe place to move.

Police used bed sheets and covers to block the balcony where the suspect's body lay, until the coroner arrived.

A team of detectives questioned neighboring guests and motel staff members to search for any information that would paint an even clearer picture of what happened in Room 218.

With at least three surveillance cameras within the vicinity of where the incident occurred, police will be searching through digital video to help their case and confirm witness statements.

WAVY.com dig some digging and learned police were called out to the Econo Lodge 89 times since June 11, 2008. Those calls included Assault, Robbery and Disturbing the Peace.

Police are still searching for the suspect, seen fleeing from the scene in a silver vehicle. If you can help police, call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.