VB shooting suspect had past problems

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. - The suspect charged in a double shooting in Virginia Beach had a history of issues with his neighbors.

It's what caught Gerry Platter's attention that night. "Bang, bang, bang, bang,..I knew it was a shot; I knew it wasn't anything else but a shot."

It was gunfire next door. Someone shot and killed Keith Chapin. "What hurt me was when I seen on TV they showed the bloody spot where Keith lay back there and that broke my heart."

What also hurt was that the man who lives across the street, identified as Aaron Patterson, is charged in the case. "When you hear the term senseless act of violence, this fits that to a T," spokesperson Virginia Beach Police Spokesperson MPO Adam Bernstein said, adding, "there's absolutely nothing that we have found at this point to why he went over there and shot his neighbors."

Outside Patterson's home, marks where S.W.A.T. officers surrounded the property could still be seen. His mailbox had been destroyed.

Platter said she had a feeling something was wrong with Patterson. She claimed she and other neighbors have had issues with Patterson over the years. Police records showed 26 calls for service at Patterson's address in 2009. Many of the calls were for problems with neighbors, Bernstein said.

His criminal record showed previous arrests for trespassing and disturbing the peace. "He tormented everybody here, he called the police twice and said our dog attacked him, but our dog barks, but never leaves the yard," Platter said.

In court Monday, Patterson made a surprising admission. He told the court "I really need a psych evaluation." Platter said she wouldn't be surprised if Patterson in fact has a mental condition.

If he's convicted of murder, she wonders if the case could have been prevented. "It just had me upset, I just think a good man died because justice wasn't served."

Patterson is being held without bond.