​ Commonwealth v. Isaiah Jermaine Clemons; Shooting of Juvenile at Oceanfront Results in 11 Years, 4 Months in Prison

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Isaiah Jermaine Clemons, age 21, of the 1700 block of Shell Road in Chesapeake, Virginia, was sentenced today on charges of Aggravated Malicious Wounding, Attempted Robbery, and Use of a Firearm (2 counts). Circuit Court Judge Kevin M. Duffan sentenced Clemons to 33 years in prison with 21 years and eight (8) months suspended, leaving eleven (11) years and four (4) months to serve.

Clemons pled guilty on June 14, 2021. Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth's evidence would have proven that on June 23, 2020, Isaiah Clemons and a group of friends encountered another group of people at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Some people in both groups were friends and greeted each other before going their separate ways. Clemons was part of one group, and the 17-year-old victim was part of the other group. Nothing aggressive occurred between the groups and there were no altercations.

As the victim and his group returned to their car in a parking lot on 23^rd Street, they noticed Clemons had followed them. Clemons pulled out a gun and demanded money from the victim. The victim refused, and a physical fight ensued. Clemons shot the victim in his lower right side then stood over the victim and searched his pockets. He didn't get anything from the victim's pockets and fled the scene. Clemons was identified and apprehended at his home a short time later. During an interview with investigators, he stated that he had no prior history with the victim but that he had seen him on social media with a lot of cash. He assumed the victim would have money on him that night at the oceanfront.

The victim spent a week in the hospital and has had several hospitalizations and surgeries since the shooting. He has significant scarring and nerve damage, and his ability to walk and move his foot has been impacted.

Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Sara R. Chandler prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.