Commonwealth v. Angela Britt; Woman Convicted for Murdering Man and Stealing his Gun

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Angela Britt, age 41, was found guilty by a jury on charges of Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, Grand Larceny of a Firearm, Brandishing of a Firearm, Carrying Concealed Weapon, and Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Felon.  Circuit Court Judge Afshin Farashahi, who presided over the three-day jury trial, will sentence Britt on January 6, 2027.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that in March 2022, Deshawn Ginyard traveled from Virginia Beach to New York to visit his hospitalized son. On his return trip, he stopped in New Jersey to see his twin brother, and there he met Angela Britt. Ginyard gave Britt a ride to Virginia Beach, and they arrived at his home in the Level Green neighborhood shortly after 5 a.m. on March 30, 2022. A neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera recorded the two walking toward the home. Approximately two hours later, the same camera recorded Britt leaving alone wearing a combination of hers and Ginyard’s clothing.

Britt then walked to a gas station near the entrance to the neighborhood, where she waved around cash while trying to get a ride. After leaving briefly, she returned without some of the layers of clothing she had been wearing and again waved around cash and asked citizens for a ride. A woman eventually drove her to the Witchduck Road area. Soon afterward, a citizen called police after seeing Britt standing in the roadway, waving a firearm and threatening people. Officers located her outside the City’s Housing Resource Center and recovered a 9 mm handgun concealed in her pants. Britt was arrested and booked into jail on charges of brandishing a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

Later that day, Ginyard’s co-workers became concerned when he failed to report for work. They called and texted him and drove by his home but received no response. His family, friends, and co-workers continued trying to reach him over the next two days. On April 1, 2022, a close friend went to his home to check on him and found him deceased on the bedroom floor. She called 911, and police and emergency personnel responded. The medical examiner determined that Ginyard had been shot seven times, although forensic personnel recovered no cartridge casings from the scene.

Investigators contacted Ginyard’s twin brother, who told them that Britt had been with Ginyard in New Jersey. Detectives reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses, including a neighbor who reported hearing gunshots during the early-morning hours of March 30. After learning that Britt was in custody, detectives interviewed her at the detective bureau. Britt gave several conflicting accounts of her interactions with Ginyard and asked detectives whether any cartridge casings were missing from the scene. Images from a body scanner used during her jail intake showed what appeared to be cartridge casings concealed inside her body. Britt later admitted that she had taken Ginyard’s firearm.

A forensic scientist also tested a bloodstain on the shirt Britt was wearing when she was arrested. The analysis determined that the blood contained Ginyard’s DNA.

Britt has prior convictions for Robbery, Prostitution, Drug Possession (misdemeanor, 2 counts), False Identity to Law Enforcement, Assault and Battery (2 counts), and a probation violation.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Sara R. Chandler and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Katharine D. Aicher prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.