Murder of Jiansheng Chen

On the night of January 26, 2017, Jiansheng Chen, a 60-year-old Chinese immigrant and grandfather, was shot and killed by a security guard in the parking lot of the River Walk community clubhouse in Chesapeake, Virginia. Chen had been playing the mobile game Pokémon Go inside a parked minivan when Johnathan Cromwell, a 21-year-old security guard employed by Citywide Protective Services, fired ten shots at the vehicle, five of which struck Chen. Chen sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body, including one to his left upper arm and four to his upper left chest.

Chen had emigrated from Guantou, in Lianjiang County, Fujian, China, to the United States around 1989, working first as a cook in New York before opening his own restaurant in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. He had reportedly been at the same parking lot ten days prior to the shooting and was warned about trespassing. It was later alleged that Cromwell had a history of aggressive conduct, including previously drawing his weapon on unarmed residents, and had allegedly been stalking Chen before the shooting. An attorney for Citywide Protective Services stated that Chen had attempted to hit Cromwell with his van and that Cromwell fired in self-defense; police said Cromwell fired through the side window and then moved to fire through the windshield.

The shooting drew public attention and protest, including a demonstration of more than 60 people outside a news conference held by the security company's attorney. Three members of Congress issued a joint statement calling for clarity on how the incident occurred.

On February 16, 2017, Cromwell was charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm; he turned himself in and was later denied bond. In July 2017, the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder. The case proceeded through multiple delays, with jury selection eventually set for February 2019. During trial testimony, a homicide detective recounted that Cromwell had asked about the accuracy of his shot "grouping" after the shooting. On March 1, 2019, a jury convicted Cromwell of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of murder. On June 24, 2019, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison. His attorney stated an intention to appeal.

Chen's family also filed a $5.35 million wrongful death lawsuit against Cromwell, Citywide Protection Services, and the River Walk Community Association. The family ultimately received a $1.5 million settlement, with Cromwell and Citywide Protection Services paying $1.35 million and the community association paying $150,000; the defendants continued to deny liability. Following the shooting, the River Walk Community Association suspended and later terminated its contract with the security company.