In the summer of 2025, a deadly encounter on a Hampton, Virginia street cut short the life of 52-year-old Larry Smith. On the afternoon of June 30th, police responded to calls of a shooting in the 800 block of Burton Street. Arriving officers discovered Smith on the ground, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the male victim's death quickly pointed to a verbal altercation that
escalated to violence. Authorities determined that Smith and another individual had a dispute while walking in the area, which culminated in the shooter producing a firearm and opening fire. A witness reported hearing the shots and seeing Smith fall. The ensuing investigation led police to identify 21-year-old Da'Qwan Jones of Hampton as the suspect.
Jones was taken into custody and subsequently charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, reckless handling of a firearm, and willful discharge of a firearm in public. Further investigation revealed a history between Smith and Jones's family. Court documents indicated that months prior to the fatal shooting, Jones's grandmother had filed for a protective order against Smith, accusing him of misdemeanor assault and battery. Jones had reportedly lived with his grandmother and Smith at one point and was aware of 'past domestic incidents' between them. According to a criminal complaint, Jones claimed he was afraid of being attacked by Smith and believed he was being followed on the day of the shooting. However, investigators reviewed video footage that appeared to show the two men walking side-by-side. The father of the accused shooter publicly stated his belief that his son was acting in self-defense.
