Jury finds man guilty of murder by mob in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Three men were convicted of murder after they surrounded an 18-year-old by a Shop ‘N Go in Norfolk, fatally shooting him before taking his gun.

While two of the suspects pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, the third was convicted of first-degree murder by a jury on Wednesday.

On April 8, 2023, 25-year-old Cevan Orinoel Pierce Jr., 20-year-old TyJohn Lavon Brooks and 24-year-old Da’Shaun Jamil Robinson were in a convenience store when they saw the victim, Antonio Wilson.

Wilson greeted Brooks before purchasing something at the register. Brooks said something to Pierce and and Robinson and the three left the store and hid behind a corner while waiting for Wilson.

After the victim left the store, he was surrounded by the three at gunpoint. Brooks reached toward Wilson’s waistband and the victim then began to reach toward his own firearm. The three men then shot Wilson. While lying on the ground injured, Pierce stole Wilson’s gun before running after his peers.

While the other two fled on foot, Robinson left in a car with a man not involved in the shooting.

Wilson was pronounced dead at the hospital. Brooks and Pierce were easily identified through surveillance, their known gang affiliations and past encounters with law enforcement. However, Robinson was identified through search warrants and DNA testing.

Brooks was arrested in South Carolina later in April 2023, about two weeks after the shooting, and was transported back to Norfolk. Pierce was arrested the next month following a police pursuit on Interstate 64, and Robinson was arrested in September 2023.

Robinson and Brooks both entered plea agreements for second-degree murder with no agreement for sentencing.

On Wednesday, Sept. 19, Pierce was convicted by jury of first-degree murder, using a firearm in the commission of murder, murder by mob, robbery causing death, using a firearm in the commission of robbery, conspiring to commit robbery, malicious wounding by mob and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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