PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A man could face life in prison after a jury found him guilty of shooting and killing his neighbor at the victim's Portsmouth home in 2022, the Portsmouth Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney announced Wednesday.
Johnny Rodriguez was convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in commission of a murder and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The incident occurred at around 2 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2022 when an altercation broke out between Rodriguez and his neighbor, 35-year-old Lawrence Cowfer. Prosecutors said Rodriguez fired a shot at pointblank range, striking Cowfer in the face.
Police and paramedics were called to the home located in the 600 block of Mount Vernon Avenue. Medics pronounced Cowfer dead shortly after arriving at the scene.
More than a week after the shooting, police announced Rodriguez had turned himself in.
Rodriguez is slated to be sentenced on Jan. 5.
