NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A Norfolk family is not fully satisfied that justice was served following the shooting death of 33-year old Roosevelt McKinney, two trials and a sentencing hearing.
McKinney told the court that her son, who nearly died at birth, did not die from the diabetes that he treated with three shots per day, but rather, he died from three gunshots inflicted by Gary Moore.
The victim’s mother, Stacey McKinney-Whack, told 10 On Your Side she mourns the death of her son 24/7.
“It is what it is,” McKinney-Whack said. “It’s not going to bring my son back.”
And back on April 2, 2022, MacArthur Center still welcomed a bounty of shoppers. But it was on that day when McKinney was shot after an altercation involving four men.
Evidence showed Moore fired three shots at McKinney, and two bystanders were hit by gunfire. This is what Moore told WAVY from the Norfolk Jail in May 2022.
“Once y’all find out the truth, I want y’all to work as hard to get me out,” he said. And asked what the truth was, he said “you’ll find it out that I’m innocent,” adding, “the truth will set me free.”
Last year, a jury convicted Mr. Moore of unlawful wounding. In a second trial Moore was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter.
In the final chapter of the painful ordeal, the victim’s loved ones called on Moore to apologize for taking the young man they treasured, and for taking their sense of joy.
“I said, ‘God don’t kill; the devil steals and he was the devil,” McKinney-Whack said. “God, God don’t kill. It’s the devil that get into a person’s mind, mental state that caused them to do certain things.”
Twenty-four people sent character letters on behalf of Moore. After considering all the evidence, Judge Jamilah LeCruise sentenced Moore to 10 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter, and nine months for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Time for the wounding charges was suspended.
Twice, Moore apologized to the family of the man he killed.
Regina Mobley: You went through two trials with the defendant and, in your statement [Friday], you gave him the opportunity to apologize, and he did issue an apology. Do you accept his apology?
Stacey McKinney-Whack: At this time an apology? But it’s hard for me to really believe that he is really apologetic.
After the shooting, the department store Dillard’s closed and efforts are underway to redevelop the $300 million mall.