In the early morning hours of September 14, 2014, a violent altercation in Norfolk, Virginia, claimed the life of 24-year-old Jordan Alexander Smith. The incident, which unfolded near the intersection of Reservoir Avenue and Goff Street, also left two other men with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. The three victims were transported in a personal vehicle to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where Smith, suffering from a life-threatening injury, was pronounced deceased shortly after his
arrival.
The Norfolk Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. The case remained under investigation for a period of time before a significant breakthrough led to the identification and arrest of a suspect. Malcolm Jamaal Jorden, then 31 years old, was taken into custody by the Norfolk Police Fugitive Apprehension Squad and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Smith's death. The investigation revealed that Jorden had a history of violent behavior and was on probation for a prior shooting incident that also occurred in 2014.
During the subsequent legal proceedings, the motive behind the fatal encounter came to light. It was revealed that Jorden's actions were driven by jealousy and suspicion. He believed that Smith was involved with his pregnant girlfriend, which led to a confrontation that tragically escalated. On the night of the shooting, inside an apartment on Nicholson Street where Jorden's girlfriend and her three children were present, Jorden shot and pistol-whipped Smith.
Ultimately, Malcolm Jamaal Jorden confessed to the crime. His guilty plea to second-degree murder was accepted by the court. He was sentenced to serve 25 years and three months in prison for the murder of Jordan Smith and for violating the terms of his probation from the earlier shooting incident. Following his release, he will be subject to a period of supervised probation.
