September 10, 2025

Virginia Beach Woman Charged with First-Degree Murder

News Summary

Jennifer Mulligan, aged 43, has been charged with first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of her 90-year-old father, Woodward McClure. The incident occurred at their home, with Mulligan confessing to dispatchers that it was intentional. During the investigation, she cited past abuse as a motive. The case reveals challenges faced by caregivers dealing with trauma within family dynamics. Mulligan remains in custody as legal proceedings continue, raising concerns about the impact of prolonged domestic issues.

Virginia Beach – Jennifer Mulligan, a 43-year-old woman, has been charged with first-degree murder following the shooting death of her 90-year-old father, Woodward McClure, at their home on Rodney Lane. The incident occurred on May 7, and Mulligan also faces charges for using a firearm in the commission of the crime.

According to authorities, Mulligan called 911 shortly after the shooting, admitting to dispatchers, “I shot my dad.” During a preliminary hearing, recordings of the 911 call were presented, in which Mulligan confessed that the shooting was intentional. When asked about her motive, she referenced alleged past abuse inflicted by her father.

Defense attorney Roger Whitus shed light on the troubled dynamic within the family, noting that Mulligan had endured various hardships linked to her father. These experiences have raised concerns about her father’s behavior towards her and her family, including ongoing cleanliness issues at home.

Upon arrival, Virginia Beach police officers found McClure deceased in his bed, a gunshot wound evident on his forehead. An autopsy confirmed that the gun had been pressed against his head at the time of the shooting. Mulligan later told a detective that she felt compelled to shoot her father to “take care of the agony” that they had been experiencing.

Witnesses indicated that Mulligan had consumed two to three beers on the morning of the incident. Prior to the shooting, she had recently taken her father into her home after he was transferred from a nursing facility that had closed. Family members in attendance at the hearing included Mulligan’s husband, son, and other relatives. Neighbors of the family expressed their shock over the tragic event.

Following the preliminary hearing, the case will advance to a higher court where Mulligan will enter her plea. Presently, she remains in custody without bond. Initially, the judge had granted her bond; however, this was revoked after the prosecutor’s appeal. No trial date has been established at this time.

The incident raises broader questions about the challenges caregivers face, particularly in cases where past trauma influences current relationships within families. While each case is unique, the difficulties encountered by Mulligan highlight the struggles that can result from prolonged exposure to abusive behavior.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community continues to process the shocking events that transpired in this quiet Virginia Beach neighborhood, leaving many reeling from the tragic reality of a strained family dynamic leading to a fatal outcome.

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Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER

VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg

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