Security Guard Officially Charged for Murdering Chinese Grandpa Playing Pokémon Go

February 17, 2017

Johnathan Cromwell, the main suspect in the killing of 60-year-old Chinese grandfather Jiansheng Chen, has now been charged by authorities in Virginia.

Two warrants have been issued for the security guard from Virginia who now faces charges for second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of murder, according to a the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney on Thursday.

The suspect turned himself in on Thursday afternoon at the Virginia Beach Police station, 13News Now reports.

An investigation revealed that Jiansheng Chen was playing Pokémon Go in his vehicle near River Walk Clubhouse in Chesapeake when he was shot and killed by Cromwell on the night of January 26.

“[Pokémon Go] was a way that he has found to relate to his nieces and nephews and his grandchildren,” Greg Sandler, a lawyer representing Chen’s family, was quoted as saying.

Court documents revealed that Chen was pulling his vehicle into the driveway of the clubhouse parking lot when Cromwell’s car pulled in front of Chen’s. Chen stopped and turned his vehicle around.

According to Cromwell, he got out of his car and told the victim to stop before he fired his gun. The elderly man was hit five times, once in the upper left arm and four times in his upper left chest.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney brought charges against Cromwell due to evidence presented by Chesapeake Police, who continue their investigation into the shooting.

Citywide Protection Services lawyer Andrew Sacks claimed in a statement last week that Chen had driven his vehicle toward Cromwell so he was forced to fire in self-defense.

“The Company continues to stand by its view, based on its investigation, that their employee’s actions were lawful and in self-defense,” Sacks was quoted as saying.

James Broccoletti, another lawyer representing the Chen family, said that “they are very gratified that they are now one step closer to justice for their family and the Chinese community.”

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