Man Pleads Guilty to 2nd Degree Murder for Shooting Good Samaritan Intervening in Domestic Dispute
NORFOLK, Va. — Lamont Charles Whitaker, 25, pleaded guilty on Thursday to second-degree murder for shooting and killing 23-year-old Miyett Antwione Little Jr. earlier this year when Mr. Little intervened in an argument between Mr. Whitaker and Mr. Whitaker’s girlfriend.
Around 11 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2025, Mr. Whitaker and his girlfriend were returning to her apartment in Mr. Whitaker’s car after spending an evening at a shooting range and eating dinner. The couple began arguing in the car and continued fighting as they approached the front door of the residence on Green Leaf Drive. Mr. Little, who was walking nearby in the street, overheard the argument, walked onto the grass outside the apartment, and exchanged words with Mr. Whitaker. After a brief interaction, Mr. Whitaker pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Little ten times, emptying his gun of bullets and killing Mr. Little. Mr. Whitaker then called 911, identified himself as the shooter, waited at the scene until police arrived, and was detained. After being read his Miranda rights and consenting to an interview with detectives, Mr. Whitaker claimed that Mr. Little had walked up behind him, prompting him to shoot. Mr. Little was unarmed.
On Thursday, Mr. Whitaker entered an agreement to plead guilty to second-degree murder and face a sentence of up to 21 years and four months in prison, which is the high end of his state sentencing guidelines range. In exchange for his guilty plea, the Commonwealth agreed to withdraw an additional charge of using a firearm in the commission of murder. Judge Joseph C. Lindsey accepted Mr. Whitaker’s plea agreement, found him guilty, and set his sentencing hearing on March 13, 2026.
“Mr. Little did what any responsible citizen would do: Try to help diffuse an argument,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Rather than react reasonably, Mr. Whitaker shot and killed Mr. Little with no legal justification. I extend my condolences to Mr. Little’s family, and at sentencing we will seek a term of confinement that will fit Mr. Whitaker’s violent crime. My office and I will continue to focus our resources on people committing violence in our city.”
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shavaughn N. Banks and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert E. Mayer are prosecuting Mr. Whitaker’s case, and Norfolk Police Detective Tyler K. Frear led the investigation.
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