NORFOLK, Va. — An Atlanta man has admitted to making threatening calls to two Walmart stores in Virginia Beach, resulting in him pleading guilty to making interstate threats. The threats were made on November 25, 2022, a day notoriously busy due to Black Friday sales, just after the tragic shooting at a Chesapeake Walmart that left eight people dead.
Court records reveal that 30-year-old DeAndre Tamir Murphy, who also goes by DeAdre Murphy, identified himself as “Mohammed” during the calls. He claimed to have gunmen ready to storm the stores unless he was paid $20,000, threatening to commence shooting if his demands were not met. The chilling nature of these threats was compounded by the recent violence at the nearby Walmart.
Law enforcement quickly traced the second threatening call back to Murphy in Atlanta, thanks to the call being recorded. Murphy is now set for sentencing on September 27, facing up to 20 years in prison, although sentences for federal crimes often fall below the maximum.