A dispute over an $80 debt in Portsmouth, Virginia, turned fatal on May 2, 2015, when 40-year-old Tonieo E. Burden confronted Quintin Lee Hardy Jr. at a 7-Eleven on Mount Vernon Avenue. After an exchange, Burden left the store and pursued Hardy’s vehicle, cutting him off at Vermont Avenue and Commerce Street. Both men exited their cars and a verbal confrontation ensued. Burden noticed Hardy was armed, attempted to flee, and was shot four times in the back while running. Emergency personnel arrived about 3:45 p.m. and found Burden unresponsive; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation resulted in Hardy’s arrest. In April 2016 a Portsmouth jury convicted the 35-year-old Hardy of voluntary manslaughter and recommended a 10-year prison term; a judge imposed that sentence on July 12, 2016.