A Norfolk man has been sentenced to over four years in prison for opening fire on his ex-girlfriend’s home just days after she reported him for threatening her.
Navari Deyontae Taylor, 21, pleaded guilty to firing into an occupied dwelling and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He’ll serve four years and two months behind bars, with another eight years and ten months suspended—assuming he completes supervised probation and follows good behavior guidelines after his release.
The shooting happened on October 18, 2024, five days after the woman went to a Norfolk magistrate and secured a misdemeanor charge against Taylor for threatening her over the phone. That night, Taylor, riding with three others, went to her Edward Street home. He got out and fired multiple rounds into her bedroom window. Inside the house at the time were the victim and two other people—none were hit.
Police responded quickly. On their way to the scene, they spotted the car speeding off with no headlights toward I-64. After pulling it over, officers detained the group and identified Taylor as the ex-boyfriend. A police K9 found the discarded gun along the roadside, which Taylor later admitted was the weapon he used.
Taylor, who had previous felony convictions, wasn’t allowed to have a gun. Prosecutors initially charged him with four offenses, including firing in a public place and making threats over the phone. As part of the plea deal, those misdemeanor charges were dropped.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi credited the quick response by police and the victim’s immediate report: “Mr. Taylor had no reason to shoot into his ex-girlfriend’s house, and everyone, including Mr. Taylor, is lucky that he did not hurt anyone,” he said.
Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise accepted the plea deal on June 17.