NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A 21-year-old man has been convicted of attempted malicious wounding after he shot at a family outside their Norfolk home last year.
Terence Artavian Welker Jr. was found guilty on Tuesday by a jury after originally pleading not guilty, per the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. The jury deliberated for about two hours.
“Mr. Welker threatened and tried to shoot multiple people in front of their own home, all in broad daylight,” said Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “When someone shoots at another person for no reason, as Mr. Welker did, that is malice, and it is a serious felony deserving of serious sanctions. We are glad that the victims in this case were not shot, and we appreciate their assistance in holding Mr. Welker accountable. We will seek a sentence for Mr. Welker that reflects his crime.”
Norfolk prosecutors say it all stemmed from Welker being upset with a man believed to be involved with the mother of Welker’s child.
Welker originally stopped by that man’s mother’s home on Nevada Avenue on May 17, 2023, and threatened her and the intended victim, prompting her to take out a emergency protective order against Welker.
On May 20, Welker returned to the Nevada Avenue home in the morning. However, this time another one of the woman’s sons was home and he challenged Welker to a fist fight. The son was able to detain Welker and hold him until police arrived. Welker was served outstanding warrants from the incident on May 17 and the protective order.
After being released, Welker then grabbed a gun and came back to the home the same day, prosecutors say. Four of the woman’s sons and their godfather were outside the home when Welker began shooting.
No one was hurt, but several nearby cars were struck by Welker’s bullets, prosecutors say. Welker then fled after the intended victim’s friend returned fire.
Welker was arrested months later in Chesapeake, and charged with attempted malicious wounding and use a firearm in the commission of a felony.