A 74-year-old Virginia man, Leroy Frank King, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Albert Patrick Johnson.
King shot and killed Johnson in an unprovoked attack after Johnson mistakenly knocked on his door on June 20, 2023, believing it was his friend’s home nearby.
King, who had a history of using firearms, shot Johnson in the neck and torso, leading to his death at the scene.
The Incident
The events unfolded around 5:30 p.m. when Albert Johnson, a disabled man, mistakenly knocked on King’s door twice, confusing it with a neighbor’s house. According to prosecutors, King responded by grabbing a gun and walking outside, where he shot Johnson without warning.
The victim, who had suffered injuries as a teenager that left him disabled, was later pronounced dead by paramedics.
Leroy King’s History and Motive
This was not King’s first run-in with firearms. In 2003, he was convicted for a nonfatal shooting of a neighbor. Despite being found guilty of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of murder, King maintained his innocence at sentencing, claiming he was “legally entitled” to shoot Johnson.
Prosecutors strongly disagreed, arguing that King’s actions were unjustified, and emphasized that King posed a continuing danger to the public due to his past conduct and refusal to accept responsibility for the crime.
The Sentencing
King was sentenced to 45 years in prison, with 20 years suspended, meaning he will serve 25 years behind bars. If he is released in the future, he will be on probation for three additional years.
Prosecutors, including Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi, expressed relief at the sentence, stating that King’s actions were senseless and that Johnson, who had done nothing wrong, deserved justice.
Fatehi remarked, “Mr. King had no right to shoot the victim, and at his age and with his prior conduct, he should have known better.” He extended his condolences to Johnson’s family, emphasizing the unnecessary loss of life in the case.
Johnson’s Legacy
Albert Patrick Johnson, described by his loved ones as having a “captivating spirit” and a “larger-than-life personality,” dreamed of becoming a famous rapper.
His family fondly remembered him for the joy and laughter he brought to those around him. Johnson had previously overcome significant adversity due to injuries sustained in his youth, and his death has left a profound impact on his community.
This case highlights the tragic consequences of an unjustified act of violence. Leroy King‘s actions have left the Johnson family grieving the loss of a loved one, and King’s failure to accept responsibility suggests that his sentence is necessary to prevent further harm to others.
