A Norfolk woman has pleaded guilty to attempting to carjack another woman at gunpoint last year in Ocean View.
Rekesia L. Gray, 22, admitted in court on March 6 that she tried to steal a car from a woman parked in her driveway on Wells Parkway on April 1, 2024. According to prosecutors, Gray approached the victim wearing a mask and all black, pointed what appeared to be a firearm at her, and demanded her keys.
When the woman refused, Gray grabbed her phone and threw it across the yard. She then threatened to shoot the victim, took her purse, and ran. Neighbors who witnessed the incident chased Gray down and held her until police arrived.
Authorities later determined that the weapon was a BB gun, not a real firearm. Gray was charged with attempted carjacking, using a firearm in a felony, and felony larceny.
Mental Health & Plea Deal
At the time of the crime, Gray was experiencing mental health issues and was initially found incompetent to stand trial. After undergoing mental health treatment, she was deemed competent and agreed to plead guilty to attempted carjacking and misdemeanor brandishing of a firearm. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the other felony charges.
Gray’s sentencing is scheduled for May 9, and there is no set agreement on her punishment. While she faces up to 11 years in prison, state sentencing guidelines suggest a shorter term. She will also be screened for alternative sentencing options that could include mental health treatment.
Prosecutor Weighs In
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi acknowledged the severity of the crime but also emphasized the role mental illness played in Gray’s actions.
“It is clear that Ms. Gray committed a dangerous and frightening crime. It is also clear that Ms. Gray’s mental illness — while not so severe as to negate her guilt — played a significant part in her actions,” Fatehi said.
Fatehi also criticized mandatory minimum sentencing laws, noting that the court technically could have imposed a three-year mandatory sentence for firearm use—even though the weapon was not real. Instead, the plea deal allows the judge to weigh all factors before deciding on an appropriate punishment.
Gray’s sentencing in May will determine how much time she serves and whether therapeutic alternatives to incarceration will be considered.