Portsmouth, Virginia

From the July 1, 2005 Virginian-Pilot:

PORTSMOUTH — What began as an armed robbery early Thursday at a go-go club near Victory Crossing ended in a gun battle, during which a robber was fatally shot in the head.

Police said Roberto C. Pope , a 27 -year-old Churchland man, entered Majik City on Portsmouth Boulevard shortly after 1 a.m.

He was armed with a gun, said Lt. Robert L. Smith , commander for the midnight shift.

A security guard confronted Pope, and the men went outside.

Then, Pope apparently pointed his weapon at the guard, police said.

“Shots were exchanged between the security guard and the suspect,” Smith said during an interview outside the club.

Pope “was shot once in the head. ... At least once in the head,” Smith added.

Pope was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

He died at 9:40 a.m. Thursday, said Cheri Hinshelwood , a Sentara spokeswoman.

The security guard was not identified.

When police arrived at the club, they found Pope lying in the parking lot , holding the weapon in his right hand and an unknown amount of cash in his left hand.

Willie J. Holmes , a man who was at the club to pick up friends who work there, said “the guy who had the gun” had demanded money.