A Norfolk man has been sentenced to five years in prison following his guilty plea in a 2023 shooting in the Diggs Town area. Darius Malik Davis, 28, admitted to charges of malicious wounding and possessing a firearm as a felon after shooting a man during a heated dispute last September.
The incident unfolded on Sept. 8, 2023, at an apartment on Campostella Road, where Davis and the victim—who was a friend of Davis’s girlfriend—got into an argument. The disagreement escalated, moving from inside the apartment to the street, where Davis reportedly drew a gun and shot the unarmed victim in the hand and stomach. Despite his injuries, the victim managed to call 911 for help. Emergency responders arrived quickly, and the victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. Although Davis’s girlfriend declined to cooperate with the police, the victim later helped investigators identify Davis, though he initially only knew him by sight.
Davis was arrested a month later at his job. After his arrest, his employer found a handgun in Davis’s bag, left behind at work, and notified authorities—further evidence against Davis, who, as a convicted felon, was barred from having firearms.
In court, Davis agreed to a plea deal on Sept. 16, admitting guilt to malicious wounding and the firearms charge. Other charges were dropped as part of the agreement, but the sentencing was left to the discretion of the court. On Friday, Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise sentenced Davis to five years in prison, with an additional ten years suspended on conditions of good behavior and probation compliance upon release.
“Mr. Davis shot the victim in cold blood, and for everyone’s sake, we are fortunate that the victim lived,” stated Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “For justice and the protection of the community, we will continue to hold accountable people who engage in gun violence.”
The prosecution was led by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Anthony J. Balady, with Norfolk Police Detective Alexander R. Kay managing the investigation.