Man to serve 12 years in Va. Beach robbery, shooting

VIRGINIA BEACH

A Circuit Court judge today sentenced a 21-year-old man to 12 years in prison for shooting and injuring another man during drug deal gone wrong.

Gerard Edward Hayward Jr. pleaded guilty in July to armed robbery, aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm, according to a document outlining the prosecution's case. Police charged him after finding evidence, including a cellphone with his fingerprints, at the scene, according to the document.

Had the case gone to trial, prosecutors would have proven that on Sept. 26, 2010, Hayward, then 20, arranged to meet the victim to purchase marijuana in the parking lot of the Food Lion at 5461 Wesleyan Drive, according to the document. But when Hayward arrived, he instead pulled out a gun, demanded the victim’s marijuana and shot him when he refused, according to the document.

The victim survived but suffered serious injuries, including scarring, his heart stopping twice and losing his spleen and gallbladder, according to the document.

Hayward’s attorney requested that Judge A. Bonwill Shockley allow him to complete a program for young offenders, but she declined, sentencing Hayward to 32 years in prison, with 20 suspended. She also ordered that he pay restitution to the victim.