A disabled man was mistakenly shot and killed by a 74-year-old man in Virginia, who has been convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
On June 20, 2023, in Norfolk, Virginia, Albert Patrick Johnson, aged 38, mistakenly entered Leroy King’s apartment, thinking it belonged to a friend.
The prosecution claims that Johnson first thought King’s door was his friend’s house earlier that day. Later, Johnson returned still unsure of the correct location. When he knocked again, King grabbed a weapon and faced the disabled man outside his apartment.
King unexpectedly shot Johnson in the neck and torso, resulting in Johnson’s death at the scene. Prior records showed that King had a previous conviction for a nonfatal shooting in 2003.
King was convicted of murder and firearm use despite asserting a legal defense. During sentencing, he maintained his entitlement to use deadly force, a claim vigorously opposed by prosecutors. Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi emphasized that, given King’s age and criminal record, he should have fully comprehended the seriousness of his actions.