NORFOLK, Va. – A Norfolk jury convicted 33-year-old Lamont S. Smallwood on Thursday of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the May 29, 2022, shooting death of 26-year-old Paul L. Robinson.
On the night of May 29, Mr. Smallwood encountered Mr. Robinson in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 700 block of B Avenue. After a few moments, Mr. Smallwood pulled out a gun from his waistband and pointed it at Mr. Robinson, proceeding to confiscate the Mr. Robinson's gun, knock him to the ground, beat him, and order him to strip down to his underwear. Mr. Smallwood then shot Mr. Robinson in his neck and shoulder before driving off, leaving him to bleed to death.
High-resolution video footage showed nearly the whole incident clearly enough to identify Mr. Smallwood and the vehicle in which he drove off.
Mr. Smallwood was convicted as charged by a Norfolk jury on Thursday of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of murder. He is docketed for sentencing on July 21.
Mr. Smallwood has a violent criminal history including 2011 Norfolk felony convictions of robbery, possession of a sawed-off shotgun, use of a firearm, and wearing a mask in the commission of those crimes, and 2009 Chesapeake misdemeanor convictions of brandishing a firearm and assault.
"Smart police work, high-quality cameras, and the crucial cooperation of the community came together to hold Lamont Smallwood accountable for this senseless murder," said Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi. "I give my condolences to Mr. Robinson's family and my appreciation to the community, especially the witnesses who came forward to help us prove our case in court. We could not have done it without them. The system works when we work together."
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys Emily A. Woodley and Robert B. McFadden Jr. prosecuted Mr. Smallwood's case on behalf of the Commonwealth. Please contact Nia Tariq at 757-620-5454 or nia.tariq@norfolk.gov for more information.
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