Norfolk judge could impose 4 life sentences for mass shooter who killed 3 women

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A man found guilty of shooting five women, and killing three, will learn on Friday how many years he’ll spend in prison.

A jury found Ziontay Palmer guilty of 10 charges related to the shooting.

Man found guilty on all counts in 2021 Young Terrace mass shooting

The mass shooting happened in 2021 at the Young Terrace Apartments in Norfolk.

Palmer, 21, was convicted of shooting his then pregnant ex-girlfriend, her mother, his ex-girlfriend’s stepmom, and two neighbors. He was 19 at the time of the shooting.

5 women shot, 3 killed in Norfolk; 19-year-old suspect identified

In November, a jury found Palmer guilty of 3 counts of aggravated murder. He was also found guilty of malicious wounding, assault, and use of a gun.

Norfolk’s Commonwealth’s attorney Ramin Fatehi said it’s a “terribly tragic case” and hopes the judge gives Palmer life in prison.

Fatehi sent WAVY’s KaMaria Braye the potential maximum penalties the judge could give Palmer for each charge:

  • Aggravated Murder (3 counts) : life in prison
  • Aggravated Malicious Wounding (1 count) : life in prison
  • Malicious Wounding (1 count) : 20 years
  • Use of a Firearm in the commission of a felony (first offense) (1 count) : 3 years
  • Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (second or subsequent offense) (4 counts) : 5 years

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