VBPD Makes Arrest with ShotSpotter on Harrier Street

On April 28, 2023, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Emergency Communications and Citizen Services (ECCS) received a ShotSpotter notification indicating gunfire detected in the 300 block of Harrier Street. Upon arrival, officers with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) located multiple shell casings, three residence and a vehicle that were damaged by gunfire. Officers did not locate any gunshot victims during the initial investigation.

The following day, a victim from the shooting reported the incident to the VBPD. Through the investigation a bullet was recovered from the victim’s vehicle. Additional Investigative efforts also led the investigating officer to identify the suspect, Johnathan Keenan Stephenson (M/30) of Virginia Beach. Warrants for Stephenson were filed.

On May 12, 2023, officers with the Third Precinct Crime Suppression Squad arrested and charged Stephenson on the outstanding warrants and recovered a firearm. Stephenson was also charged with additional weapons charges. Through NIBIN and DNA, the firearm was linked to Stephenson and the shell casings found at the scene.

On February 10, 2026, this case was heard in the Circuit Court for the City of Virginia Beach. Stephenson pleaded guilty to the listed charges:

• Discharging a firearm within the city limits

• Reckless handling of a firearm

• Two counts of possession of a firearm by a violent felon

• Attempted malicious wounding

• Two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle

• Two counts of concealed weapon, second offense

• Use of a firearm in commission of a felony

• Three counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling

Stephenson was sentenced to a total of 85 years in the Virginia Department of Corrections.  The court suspended all but 13 years and 4 days conditioned upon indeterminate supervised probation not to exceed 5 years, 20 years good behavior, no contact with the victims, shall not possess any firearms or simulated firearms and the forfeiture of the firearm to the Virginia Beach Police Department.