In the late hours of a Sunday evening in Norfolk, Virginia, tragedy befell 25-year-old Paul L. Robinson. On May 29, 2022, in the 700 block of B Avenue, an encounter turned fatal for the male resident of the city. Police were dispatched to the scene around 11:55 p.m. following reports of a gunshot victim. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Robinson suffering from a gunshot wound. He was swiftly transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, but his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced deceased. His passing was officially recorded as May 30, 2022.
The investigation into Robinson's death moved quickly, and within days, a suspect was in custody. On June 3, 2022, the collaborative efforts of the Norfolk Police Fugitive Squad, the Norfolk Police Special Operations Team, and the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force led to the arrest of 32-year-old Lamont S. Smallwood. He was taken into custody in the City of Norfolk without incident and was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The case against Lamont S. Smallwood proceeded to trial, where a Norfolk jury was presented with compelling evidence. High-resolution video footage captured much of the incident, which showed Smallwood interacting with Robinson in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The footage depicted Smallwood brandishing a firearm, disarming Robinson, and then physically assaulting him. The altercation escalated to the point where Robinson was ordered to strip down to his underwear before being shot in the neck and shoulder. After the shooting, Smallwood fled the scene, leaving Robinson to succumb to his injuries. In March 2023, the jury found Smallwood guilty of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm.
Following his conviction, Lamont S. Smallwood was sentenced for his crimes. In October 2023, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge sentenced him to a total of 25 years and nine months in prison for the murder of Paul Robinson. This sentence was to be served consecutively with a 24-year sentence for violating his probation, bringing his total active prison sentence to 49 years and nine months. An appeal was later filed on Smallwood's behalf, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence presented at trial. However, the Court of Appeals of Virginia affirmed the trial court's judgment, upholding the convictions for second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
