MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va (WFXR) — 26-year-old Jamel Flint, the man accused of killing one teenager and injuring four other people in a shooting at a hookah lounge in Blacksburg back in 2022, was found guilty on all counts by a jury Tuesday evening.
18-year-old Isiah Robinson, a high school student from Roanoke, was killed when Flint opened fire at Melody Hookah Lounge on Feb. 4, 2022.
Flint has been convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of that murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, and two counts of use of a firearm in aggravated malicious wounding.
The trial began on Monday when the Commonwealth brought forward witnesses who identified the shooter as Flint.
The prosecution also brought in detectives and forensic experts who were able to confirm that there were 13 bullets found at the scene, all fired from the same barrel.
Flint took the stand on Tuesday, where he admitted to having and firing a gun matching the description of the weapon used at the lounge. He also identified himself in surveillance footage from that night.
The defense pleaded with the jury to take this as a matter of self-defense. While on the stand, Flint testified that he himself was scared for his own life. He says he believed that someone else outside the hookah lounge was out to hurt him, even saying he saw this subject reaching for a gun. Flint says he believes this person was involved in shooting him back in November of 2021.
Following the Jury’s decision neither the Commonwealth nor the defense had any further remarks. Flint’s pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 16 at 9:00 a.m.
