Vandes Jackson, 57, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison following his conviction for first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of murder. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Bradley Kristoffer Kortbawi, 44, outside an apartment building on Core Avenue in Norfolk’s Ghent neighborhood last July.
According to court records, the incident occurred after midnight on July 6, 2024. Mr. Kortbawi was outside smoking and talking with friends when Mr. Jackson approached the group. He accused them of using a racial slur he found offensive. Mr. Kortbawi denied that anyone had made such a remark and turned away from Mr. Jackson. At that point, Mr. Jackson pulled out a gun and shot Mr. Kortbawi in the head at close range.
Following the shooting, one of Mr. Kortbawi’s friends told Mr. Jackson he had just shot her friend. In response, Mr. Jackson said, “Then call the police,” before leaving the scene.
Dispatch records indicate that prior to the shooting, at 12:39 a.m., Mr. Jackson called 911 to report hearing an alleged slur and spoke with an operator about possible solutions that did not involve confrontation. He later called again at 1:17 a.m., after the shooting, saying he had shot someone and referencing language used by the previous operator.
When Norfolk Police arrived at the scene, Mr. Jackson returned and admitted to shooting Mr. Kortbawi, directing officers to where they could find him and surrendering without incident.
Initially charged with second-degree murder and use of a firearm in murder following police investigation, prosecutors later secured a direct indictment for first-degree murder from a grand jury.
Mr. Jackson pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial held on September 23-24, 2025; jurors deliberated for half an hour before returning guilty verdicts on all charges.
At sentencing on December 5 before Judge Everett A. Martin Jr., prosecutors argued for an active sentence of 39 years—the high end of state guidelines—while defense counsel sought a lower sentence within those same guidelines range.
Judge Martin imposed a sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment with another five years suspended contingent upon good behavior after release.
“Mr. Kortbawi did not do anything to deserve his death at the hands of Mr. Jackson, and Mr. Jackson’s sentence reflects the senselessness and cruelty of his crime,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi in a statement following sentencing. “Mr. Jackson’s sentence reflects these aggravated facts and the danger he would pose to the community, and it is a sanction that fits his crime. I wish Mr. Kortbawi’s family and friends peace as they continue to cope with their loss.”
The prosecution team included Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys Phil Y. Bailey and Emily A. Woodley; Detective Ryan B. Davis led Norfolk Police’s investigation into the case.
