Nineteen year old Birdsnest man gets prison time for role in 2024 drive by shooting

By Linda Cicoira

A young Birdsnest man, who was named as the ringleader in a drive-by shooting last year in the Bayview area of Cheriton, was given seven years and nine months of active time in prison Tuesday in Northampton Circuit Court, the maximum term possible in accordance with a plea agreement.

Nineteen-year-old Nykeem Ijour Bailey, of Walnut Lane, could have been sentenced to 63 years in prison. He admitted in June to malicious wounding by a mob, shooting at an occupied vehicle, shooting from a car, destruction of property, maliciously shooting at an occupied dwelling, use of a firearm in a felony, possession of a firearm by someone convicted of a crime as a juvenile that would have been a felony if he had been an adult, and reckless handling of a gun in connection with the shooting.

The incident occurred on the late night of June 14 and the morning of June 15, 2024, on Bluebird Road. Cars and apartment buildings were struck by gunfire coming from a blue Chevrolet Malibu. Neighbors were socializing after a barbecue and were videotaped running for cover. One young woman, who had just graduated from high school the previous night, was struck by gunfire, causing her to have to undergo a procedure to remove shrapnel from her foot.

Bailey apologized for his actions. He asked for leniency, saying he wants “to start new and fresh with a positive attitude.”

“I hope you are sincere and do those things,” said Judge Linwood W. Lewis Jr. “But this was a horrific incident. Society, the community, can’t ignore that.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton said there were about 30 shell casings recovered from the scene … and by the grace of God, nobody was seriously injured or killed… There has been a definite uptake of these kinds of incidents. A statement must be made that such activity cannot be tolerated.”

Thornton said Bailey “was looking to get retribution on someone who shot up his mother’s vehicle … Shooting at a party is not the way … His father passed away when he was young, and he has not had an easy time… but that is no excuse for putting young lives in danger.”

Defense lawyer Trevor Robinson said, “He will and already has distanced himself from those who would lead him astray. He realizes the gravity and the consequence.” Robinson believed a four-year term would be enough to send a message.

“It was a heat-of-the-moment thing,” Bailey told probation when a presentence report was being made. The prosecutor said it took 25-30 minutes to get to Cheriton from Exmore, which should have provided a “cooling off period.” The defendant also said he had a shot of liquor and wasn’t thinking, Thornton said. “Any suspended time should come with a zero tolerance for alcohol.”

Judge Lewis prohibited Bailey from returning to the neighborhood of the crime and from having any contact with his codefendants. The defendant was also ordered to pay an unspecified restitution and court costs. Upon release, Bailey will be on supervised probation for five years and on good behavior for 20 years.

A 15-year-old Norfolk boy, with ties to the Eastern Shore, was acquitted last month in the drive-by because the testimony of another suspect, 19-year-old John Davis Barbour, of Redwood Road in the Onancock area. His statements were the only thing that tied him to the crimes. Barbour’s trial is set for Oct. 27. Nineteen-year-old Nicolas Edward Petrillo, of Seaside Road in Painter, was charged with similar crimes and has a November trial date.