On a tragic evening in Norfolk, Virginia, the life of 38-year-old Albert Patrick Johnson was cut short in a senseless act of violence. On June 20, 2023, Johnson, a man remembered for his captivating spirit and love for hip-hop, was fatally shot outside an apartment in the 2900 block of Pleasant Avenue. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. after Johnson mistakenly knocked on the door of 73-year-old Leroy F.
King, believing it to be the residence of a friend who lived nearby.
Earlier in the day, Johnson had made the same error, knocking on King's door by mistake. When Johnson knocked a second time, King shouted at him before emerging from his apartment armed with a handgun. He then shot Johnson twice, in the neck and torso. Emergency responders arrived to find Johnson with a life-threatening gunshot wound and pronounced him deceased at the scene. King was taken into custody at the scene without incident.
Following the investigation, Leroy F. King was charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. During the trial, it was revealed that King had a prior conviction from 2003 for the nonfatal shooting of a neighbor. Despite pleading not guilty, a jury found King guilty on both counts in April 2025.
At his sentencing in July 2025, King maintained his innocence, claiming he was 'legally entitled' to shoot Johnson. The judge sentenced him to 45 years in prison, with 20 years suspended, meaning he will serve 25 years behind bars. Should he be released, he will be under supervised probation for three years. The Commonwealth's Attorney noted that King's lack of remorse and his prior violent act made him a continuing danger to the public.
