Man Sentenced to 24 Years Following Jury Conviction of Manslaughter From 2021 Shooting
NORFOLK, Va. – Today, 30-year-old Breon Redus Davis was sentenced to 15 years in prison following his jury conviction of the voluntary manslaughter of 27-year-old Dante George Southerland, and Mr. Davis was sentenced to another nine years for violating his probation as a result of his conviction.
On June 18, 2021, Mr. Davis and Mr. Southerland were arguing in the parking lot of the Tinee Giant store on East Princess Anne Road. Video surveillance footage from a neighboring building showed Mr. Davis punching Mr. Southerland repeatedly, shooting at Mr. Southerland, and chasing Mr. Southerland around the parking lot. Mr. Southerland returned fire with his own gun before falling to the ground, while Mr. Davis continued to shoot at him. Forensics experts concluded that Mr. Davis fired 18 total shots and that Mr. Southerland fired four times after Mr. Davis began shooting. Mr. Southerland suffered nine gunshot wounds and died after being transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Unharmed, Mr. Davis fled to Georgia but later turned himself in. Mr. Davis claimed to Norfolk Police investigators that he shot Mr. Southerland only after Mr. Southerland tried to pull a gun on him and that their argument was an extension of a road rage incident between the men from earlier in the day of the shooting.
On May 4, 2023, a Norfolk jury found Mr. Davis guilty of voluntary manslaughter. On July 13, Mr. Davis also pleaded guilty to being a convicted violent felon in possession of a firearm.
On Friday, Judge Robert B. Rigney sentenced Mr. Davis to a total of 24 years in prison and six months of post-release supervision.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney William S. Maydosz and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley prosecuted Mr. Davis’ case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
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May 5, 2023
Jury Convicts Norfolk Man of Voluntary Manslaughter From 2021 Tinee Giant Shooting
NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk jury convicted 30-year-old Breon R. Davis of voluntary manslaughter on Thursday for shooting and killing 27-year-old Dante George Southerland in front of a convenience store on June 18, 2021.
Video surveillance from a neighboring building showed the two men arguing in the parking lot of the Tinee Giant store on East Princess Anne Road. Mr. Davis then punched Mr. Southerland repeatedly and began shooting at Mr. Southerland while chasing him around the parking lot. Mr. Southerland returned fire with his own gun before falling to the ground, while Mr. Davis continued to shoot at him. Forensics experts concluded that Mr. Davis fired 18 total shots and that Mr. Southerland fired four times after Mr. Davis began shooting. Mr. Southerland suffered nine gunshot wounds and died after being transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
Mr. Davis, unharmed, fled to Georgia but later turned himself in. Mr. Davis claimed that he shot Mr. Southerland only after Mr. Southerland tried to pull a gun on him. Mr. Davis also told detectives that, when he saw Mr. Southerland in the parking lot, he recognized Mr. Southerland as the other driver from a road rage incident earlier that day, thus prompting their argument.
Mr. Davis is docketed for sentencing on July 21.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney William S. Maydosz and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley prosecuted Mr. Davis' case on behalf of the Commonwealth.
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