Commonwealth v. Thomas Freddrick Davenport Jr.; Nine Years and 12 Months to Serve for 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 20, formerly of the 800 block of West Princess Anne Road in Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced today 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.  He was convicted of these charges after a jury trial on December 5, 2024. Circuit Court Judge Kevin M. Duffan, who presided over the four-day trial, imposed a sentence of 28 years and twelve (12) months in prison with nineteen (19) years suspended, leaving nine (9) years and twelve (12) months to serve.

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.

A 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). 

A second co-defendant, Christian Hinton, pled guilty today to charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm, Maliciously Shooting at Occupied Vehicle, Vehicle Tampering (2 counts), Possess Handgun by Minor, and Carry Loaded Firearm in Public. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 24, 2025.  Hinton was a juvenile at the time of the offense, but his case was certified to Circuit Court for trial as an adult due to the serious nature of the crimes.

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