Commonwealth v. Thomas Freddrick Davenport Jr.; Jury Convicts Man of Attempted Murder of Police Officer

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Thomas Freddrick Davenport Jr., age 19, formerly of the 800 block of West Princess Anne Road in Norfolk, Virginia, was found guilty by a jury on charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Maliciously Shooting at an Occupied Building, Maliciously Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, Use of a Firearm, Vehicle Tampering, and Unlawfully Destroying Property.  Circuit Court Judge Kevin M. Duffan, who presided over the four-day trial, will sentence Davenport on March 10, 2025.

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on August 2, 2023, at 1:50 a.m., officers were conducting surveillance in unmarked vehicles in the Level Green area of Virginia Beach following a series of vehicle break-ins in the area.  In the days prior, Thomas Davenport was suspected of stealing a rifle from a parked vehicle.  Officers observed a group of males, including Thomas Davenport and three juveniles, walking in the area near Craftsman Drive.  Officers continued surveillance; doorbell video showed the group walking near the intersection of Commonwealth Drive and Commonwealth Place.  An officer operating an unmarked surveillance minivan observed one of the males in a driveway near cars and made a U turn to continue observation.  The male raised his arm and began shooting at the officer’s vehicle.  The officer returned fire, firing two rounds at the shooter.  The officer then heard a barrage of shots and heard multiple shooters firing at him.  He drove to a nearby cul-de-sac, took cover, and waited for backup.  The officer’s vehicle was struck numerous times, shattering glass and causing cuts to his arm.  Fortunately, he was not hit by a bullet. One of the bullets struck the van’s steering column six inches away from the officer.  The incident was captured on Ring surveillance footage from a nearby home.

Shortly thereafter, K-9 officers located two involved juveniles hiding in a nearby bush by a church.  Three firearms were located in the bushes with the two juveniles, along with property from various vehicle thefts in the area.  Several citizen vehicles and buildings in the neighborhood were shot.  A house located in the 5000 block of Commonwealth Drive was struck, and the bullet pierced a wall striking the headboard of the bed where the residents were sleeping.  Two vehicle property theft reports were received by the police department.  A citizen who had parked his vehicle near the scene of the shooting reported his passenger window smashed and a small duffle bag with various property taken.  Another citizen in the neighborhood discovered her car was opened and the group of males had rifled through her belongings which were found in the street.    

Davenport was developed as a suspect and was arrested on August 8, 2023, in Norfolk after fleeing from Norfolk Police.  He threw a gun onto the roof of a nearby house during the chase. In an interview at the Virginia Beach Detective Bureau, Davenport admitted to shooting at the officer’s van.

One juvenile was adjudicated delinquent in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court for charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm, Maliciously Shooting at an Occupied Vehicle, Vehicle Tampering (2 counts).  The second juvenile is pending trial in Virginia Beach Circuit Court on March 24, 2025.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys David R. Talmage and C. Andrew Rice prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.