Left: Jalen Garces (Norfolk police). Right: Ali Muhammad (Bilal Muhammad).
A Virginia jury convicted a man for murdering another man after blocking him in with his car as the victim was trying to get to work.
Jalen Garces, aged 30, was recently convicted of second-degree murder and using a firearm in the murder of 33-year-old Ali Karim Muhammad in June 2023, as stated by the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on June 29, 2023, when Garces arrived at Muhammad’s apartment on First Bay Street in Norfolk and parked his vehicle. Soon after, Muhammad exited his apartment for work and noticed a car obstructing his way, according to prosecutors. He inquired with a bystander about the car’s ownership, hoping it could be moved.
Approximately 20 minutes later, as Muhammad was on the phone with his father, Garces emerged from the apartment and refused to relocate his vehicle. A confrontation erupted, during which Garces brandished a gun.
“Get that gun out of my face,” Muhammad said, his father testified.
A shot rang out.
Paramedics arrived at the location and declared Muhammad deceased. An autopsy revealed that Muhammad had sustained a contact gunshot wound to the torso.
Garces fled in a dark-colored Ford Mustang. Detectives utilized street cameras to trace the vehicle at the scene. Two days after the shooting, Virginia Beach police apprehended him for allegedly driving under the influence. Vehicle data confirmed its presence at the scene, and surveillance footage from stores Garces visited before the shooting indicated he was alone in the car.
Detectives also interviewed the woman Garces intended to meet at Muhammad’s apartment complex. She testified that Garces never arrived and appeared “frantic” over the phone, according to prosecutors.
Jurors convicted Garces after deliberating for about six hours following the three-day trial.
“My deepest condolences go out to Mr. and Mrs. Muhammad and to Ali’s entire family for their tragic loss,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Garces had no reason to kill Ali and to take him from his family. I was at the scene of this crime, as I am for every homicide in Norfolk, and I have no doubt that the information from the Flock camera system made the difference between an arrest and conviction and an unsolved murder.”
Flock cameras, which capture extensive data and details about cars and drivers, have been controversial in the state.
Bilal Muhammad, Ali’s father, spoke with reporters after the verdict.
“It’s a beautiful day,” he said. “Our son Ali is smiling. My wife and I are so happy.”
Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 7.
“We pray to God he gets every dime of his time,” Bilal Muhammad said.
