Portsmouth man sentenced for shooting and killing bystander during domestic disturbance

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) – A man was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison after shooting and killing a bystander who was trying to intervene in a domestic problem in 2021.

Police: Portsmouth man wanted for murder after bystander shot dead while trying to intervene in domestic problem

According to officials, around 7:20 p.m. on July 22, 2021, Jaylin Avery, 26, shot Deshawn Powell, 20, an innocent bystander who was attempting to intervene during a domestic incident. Powell was then taken to a local hospital where he later died.

After the fatal shooting, Avery had warrants for second-degree murder, use of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and reckless handling of a firearm. He was finally apprehended on August 9, 2021 with the help of the US Marshal’s Task Force and Portsmouth police.

Portsmouth man wanted for fatally shooting innocent bystander during domestic incident arrested

Several years later, on October 23, 2024, Avery pleaded guilty to the shooting rather than continue with his trial.

Man pleads guilty to shooting bystander trying to help domestic incident in Hampton

As a result of Avery’s plea, he was sentenced on December 30 to a total of 40 years in prison.

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