NORFOLK, VA – A Norfolk man in his seventies has been sentenced to serve at least 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man who authorities say had mistakenly knocked on his door last summer.

Leroy Frank King, 74, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Albert Patrick Johnson. King also was found guilty of using a firearm in the commission of the killing. The judgment comes after a jury trial in April, with sentencing taking place earlier this month.

Prosecutors said the incident unfolded on June 20, 2023, at an apartment complex on Pleasant Avenue. Johnson, who believed he was seeking out a friend’s residence nearby, unintentionally approached King’s door instead. When Johnson knocked again later that day, King retrieved a firearm, came outside, and shot Johnson in the neck and torso, authorities said.

Emergency crews responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m. but were unable to save Johnson. Medics pronounced him dead outside the apartment building. According to trial testimony, Johnson was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

King’s criminal history played a key factor during sentencing. Court records show that in 2003, he was previously convicted of a nonfatal shooting involving a neighbor. That prior offense weighed heavily as the prosecution argued King knew the potentially lethal consequences of his actions.

Despite his conviction, King maintained his innocence during court proceedings, insisting that he felt legally justified in using deadly force. The court, however, rejected this defense, and the judge issued a 45-year sentence, suspending 20 years and effectively mandating King serve a quarter-century behind bars. Should he be released, King will face three years of supervised probation.

Prosecutors described the incident as a senseless act, emphasizing that Johnson made an innocent mistake and posed no threat to King or his home. “There was no justification for using lethal force in this situation,” the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office said in a statement following the sentencing.

Family members and friends remembered Johnson for his resilience and vivacious personality. Loved ones described him as someone who had overcome significant adversity after being disabled as a teenager. Johnson, they said, dreamed of rising to fame as a rapper and was known for bringing joy and laughter to those around him.

The tragic nature of the case, involving a fatal misunderstanding, highlighted longstanding concerns about gun violence and the escalation of everyday encounters. While King is expected to spend the remainder of his life in prison, Johnson’s family continues to mourn the loss of a man they described as strong and compassionate.

No further appeals have been filed as of Friday, and King is currently being held at a state correctional facility awaiting transfer.