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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