Man charged with killing alleged robber

VIRIGNIA BEACH, Va. - Police say a man who told police he was defending himself by shooting a robber has been charged with second degree murder.

Additionally, 35-year-old Ryan Patrick Brown has been charged with the Dec. 4 robbery and shooting at a Virginia Beach pizza shop.

According to Jimmy Barnes with the Virginia Beach Police Department, officers responded to the 900 block of Virginia Beach Boulevard in the early morning hours of Dec. 8.

A resident, now identified as Brown, claimed he was the victim of a robbery. Brown shot and killed the alleged robber, Edward Dale Chapple, who later passed away at a hospital.

"It's shocking because Eddie was too nice of a person to have his life be taken away from him," Chapple's brother Rick Chapple said. "That's when we found out he was shot and the worst part is that he was shot in the back of the head."

Barnes says further investigation revealed Brown had fabricated the robbery story and was arrested on second degree murder charges in connection with Chapple's death.

"I hope this guy gets what he gets coming to him, because my brother isn't the only victim from him," Rick Chapple said.

According to Barnes, the investigation revealed Brown was also responsible for a Dec. 4 robbery and shooting at Chanello's Pizza on Aragona Boulevard. Two employees suffered non-life threatening injuries and Brown got away with money from the restaurant's cash register.

In addition to the second degree murder charge, Brown is also charged with two counts of malicious wounding, robbery, grand larceny and four counts of use of firearm.

WAVY.com dug into Brown's past and learned he had worked for three local colleges. 

At one time, he was the assistant director of residential life at Virginia Wesleyan College and also served as executive director of student services at Regent University. 

Brown had also worked at Christopher Newport University.

He is being held at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center without bond and denied WAVY's request for an interview.