3 teenagers arrested in Virginia Beach homicide and crash that sparked apartment fire

Virginia Beach police arrested three people — including two teenagers — in connection with a January SUV crash that resulted in an apartment fire.

Naji Amir Johnson, 18, of Virginia Beach, was charged with murder, robbery, use of a firearm in a felony and motor vehicle theft. Johnson was arrested Jan. 12, according to the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office online database — shortly after the Jan. 11 crash and fire. Johnson is being held without bond.

Two boys, ages 14 and 17, were charged in connection with the incident.

The 14-year-old was arrested Jan. 14 and charged with murder and use of a firearm in a felony. The 17-year-old was later charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and use of a firearm in a felony.

The arrests follow an incident when an SUV crashed into an apartment building in the 500 block of Featherstone Court, off of Weaver Drive. Firefighters found Gregory James Smith Jr., 33, of Newport News in the vehicle with a gunshot wound. While they tried to aid Smith, the SUV caught fire and the flames spread to the apartment building.

The medical examiner’s office confirmed Smith died of a gunshot wound to the neck.

Cianna Morales, 757-957-1304, cianna.morales@virginiamedia.com