Virginia man receives 100-Year sentence for target Co-worker's murder over stolen lunch

A Virginia man, Bazn Berhe, has been sentenced to 100 years in prison for the brutal murder of his co-worker, Hernan Leiva, in a dispute over a stolen lunch at a Target store. Berhe, 25, received a 100-year sentence with 30 years suspended, meaning he will serve 70 years of active incarceration.

Details of the Murder

The incident occurred at the Target in Bailey’s Crossroads on April 17, 2021, where Berhe beat and stabbed Leiva to death in the employee parking lot. The dispute arose after Leiva, who worked as a janitor at the store, reportedly took Berhe's lunch from the office fridge three days earlier. Berhe's premeditated plan to murder his co-worker involved purchasing a hammer and two knives, with which he carried out the fatal attack.

Confession and Sentencing

After the murder, Berhe confessed to the crime and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in October 2023. At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors revealed that Berhe had threatened to harm others if he did not receive the harshest possible sentence. Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano emphasized the tragedy of Leiva's death and the necessity of the lengthy sentence in order to maintain public safety in the face of the "unique and self-proclaimed danger" posed by the defendant.