A man is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of voluntary manslaughter in a 2019 shooting at a Hampton 7-Eleven that killed a 17-year-old.
On Oct. 13, a jury convicted 21-year-old Mekhi Vicente Ivey. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
The shooting happened in July 2019 in the 2600 block of Kecoughtan Road. It took the life of Raekwon Peterson, 17.
Ivey was 18 years old at the time of the shooting. He turned himself and was charged with one count of murder and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. However, the defense argued Ivey was trying to defend himself. The charge was eventually changed to voluntary manslaughter.
According to court documents, 7-Eleven video footage showed Ivey entering the business with two females. He entered a bathroom before going back to the front of the store. Peterson is then seen walking towards Ivey and punching him, court documents said. A fight ensued and all parties scrambled. Then, court documents said Peterson is seen running towards the front door when Ivey shoots him.
After the shooting, Raekwon’s mom, Vionne Buggs, talked to News 3, and said Ivey took part of her that she’ll never be able to get back. Buggs said her son had just graduated from Hampton High School and was about turn 18.
Buggs said this is a loss that will affect her family and the city, as well.
"They took a part of me that I could never get back again. I’m never going to get that back. I’m never going to have that peace to be able to sleep. I’m never going to be the same for my last two kids."
As for Ivey, the voluntary manslaughter charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. That's far less than the 40-year maximum penalty for second-degree murder.
