On the evening of June 24, 2019, 23-year-old Stefon T. Grimes was shot and killed in his Norfolk, Virginia home. The incident occurred in the 2100 block of Keller Avenue. When police responded to a call about a shooting, they discovered Grimes and an adult woman with gunshot wounds. While the woman's injuries were not life-threatening, Grimes died from his injuries.
The attack began when three armed men forced their way into Grimes's home, where they held his girlfriend, Alexandra
Mitchell, at gunpoint. Grimes, who had briefly stepped out, was alerted to the home invasion and returned. A shootout ensued between Grimes, who was armed with a revolver, and the intruders. During the exchange of gunfire, Grimes was shot multiple times in the forehead, arms, abdomen, back, and chest. Mitchell was also shot through both arms and both legs. Despite her own serious injuries, Mitchell, a former military medic, attempted to save Grimes's life, but he died on his living room floor.
Two men, Demarcus M. Mackey, then 20, and Ja'Quan R. Claiborne, then 18, were arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. They faced a litany of charges, including second-degree murder, malicious wounding, abduction, armed burglary with intent to commit robbery, and multiple counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Investigators later determined the home invasion was a robbery based on the false belief that Grimes was a marijuana dealer. Police found no evidence to suggest Grimes or Mitchell were involved in any illegal activity.
In July 2021, a jury found Demarcus Mackey guilty of second-degree murder, abduction, armed burglary, and three counts of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. In April 2022, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the murder of Stefon Grimes and the malicious shooting of his girlfriend. His total sentence was 83 years with 43 years suspended. The second suspect, Ja'Quan Claiborne, was acquitted of all charges. Despite being identified in court by the surviving victim and three neighbors, his defense attorney argued there was no other evidence connecting him to the crime, leading to a not guilty verdict.
