Armed man in standoff faces charges

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A Virginia Beach man was arrested and charged after an hour-long standoff late Sunday afternoon.

Police said Ellex Sturkey, 35, of the 2500 block of Elon Drive, was charged with two counts of brandishing a firearm at the 7-Eleven located at 745 Virginia Beach Boulevard.

Police had a standoff with the armed suspect who barricaded himself inside his home.

Grazia Moyers with the Virginia Beach Police Department said the man entered the 7-Eleven located across the street from the department's second precinct on Virginia Beach Boulevard around 3 p.m.

While in the store, he got into an argument  with an employee. He left and returned a short time later with either a shotgun or rifle, Moyers said.

After bringing the gun into the store, the man got into his car and drove away. Witnesses gave police a description of the vehicle and license plate number.

The license plate number led to police to a home in the 2500 block of Elon Drive. Officers arrived to find the car parked at the home. When they attempted to make contact with the man, he sent his 16-year-old son outside to speak with police.

With officers outside, the man fired a single shot from inside his house. Moyers said the man did not fire at police, and the shot hit his neighbor's home without injuring anyone.

Moyers said the man's friends and family made contact with him from outside the house. Around 5:45 p.m., he came out and surrendered to police without incident.

Police said Sturkey was released on bond.