In the early morning hours of September 6, 2011, events unfolded in Norfolk, Virginia, that would end the life of 20-year-old Kenneth Lorenzo Smallwood. Police received calls about a vehicle being tampered with in the vicinity of the Southwind Apartments, specifically in the 400 block of Fort Worth Avenue. Responding to the scene around 7:00 a.m., an officer encountered Mr.
Smallwood inside a gold Chrysler sedan that was later confirmed to have been reported stolen from Hampton.
The interaction between the officer, identified as D.M. Bailey, and Kenneth Smallwood escalated quickly. The officer positioned his patrol car and approached the stolen vehicle on foot. At that point, Mr. Smallwood put the Chrysler in reverse and collided with the police vehicle. In response to this action, Officer Bailey discharged his firearm, striking Smallwood. Despite being wounded, Mr. Smallwood managed to drive away from the immediate scene, but his flight was short-lived. He crashed the car about a block away after hitting a parked vehicle and was pronounced dead at the location. An investigation revealed he sustained a single gunshot wound to his upper left back.
Following the incident, the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney, Gregory Underwood, conducted a thorough review of the evidence. The investigation concluded that Officer Bailey's use of deadly force was justified. The official determination stated that the officer acted to apprehend Kenneth Lorenzo Smallwood Jr. and to protect his own life from the imminent danger presented by Smallwood's actions. It was also noted by police that Smallwood had a history of car theft. No charges were filed against the officer, and the case was closed with the finding that the use of force was appropriate under the circumstances.
