Belarmino Escalante

In the pre-dawn hours of July 21, 2011, Belarmino Escalante, a 27-year-old Guatemalan native, waited with his co-workers for a ride to their jobs at the Perdue plant. They were standing near the old Godwin's Nursery on Lankford Highway in the Nelsonia area of Accomack County, Virginia, when a car approached. Instead of their expected ride, the occupants of the vehicle attempted to sell marijuana to Escalante and his companions. When they refused, the encounter turned violent. A shot was fired from the car, striking and killing the young father of four.

The investigation into the senseless murder of Belarmino Escalante led authorities to two primary suspects: 18-year-old Devonte LeShawn Davis and Tyvon Smith. In August 2011, Davis was arrested and faced a charge of first-degree murder, along with conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery, and firearm offenses. He later admitted to being in the vehicle when the fatal shot was fired. In a plea agreement in 2012, the first-degree murder charge against Davis was not prosecuted. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

The search for the second suspect, Tyvon Smith, continued. He was eventually apprehended and faced justice for his role in the death of Belarmino Escalante. Smith was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. The resolution of the case brought a measure of closure to the family and community who mourned the loss of a hardworking man in a sudden and brutal act of violence.