Police say a 19-year-old was carrying a loaded 9mm handgun.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A police encounter over an open container of alcohol at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront led to the arrest of a 19-year-old after officers recovered a loaded handgun, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

The arrest occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 11 in the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue while officers were conducting proactive patrols in the resort area.

Police said officers observed Jaylin Scott-McCoy, 19, of Chesapeake, with an open container of alcohol. When officers approached him, they said he refused to stop or provide identification and attempted to walk away.

According to police, officers informed Scott-McCoy he was under arrest, and he resisted attempts to take him into custody. Officers eventually handcuffed him after deploying pepper spray.

During a search of a bag Scott-McCoy was carrying, officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun, police said.

Scott-McCoy was charged with:

• Assault on a law enforcement officer
• Carrying a concealed weapon
• Obstruction
• Open container
• Underage possession of alcohol

Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul W. Neudigate said the arrest highlights how enforcement of quality-of-life offenses can uncover more serious criminal violations. He also credited the department’s Oceanfront Policing Squad for its proactive enforcement efforts in the resort area.

Scott-McCoy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Key Points

• Police said an open container violation led to the recovery of a loaded 9mm handgun.
• A 19-year-old Chesapeake man was arrested in the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue.
• The suspect faces weapon, assault, obstruction and alcohol-related charges.