On the night of May 5, 2025, a tragic event unfolded at Chance's Restaurant and Lounge on Settlers Landing Road in Hampton, Virginia, leading to the death of 29-year-old Xavier D. Sterling. An African American male, U.S. Army veteran, and father of two young daughters, Sterling was at the restaurant with friends. A dispute that began inside the establishment escalated and moved outside. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation and act as a peacemaker, Sterling intervened in the fight. It was then that an unidentified individual discharged a firearm, striking him.
Hampton police received a call about the shooting at approximately 10:50 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Sterling with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Emergency responders provided immediate medical attention and transported him to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His mother, Cheryl Johnson-Sterling, was summoned to the hospital by a family member and was informed by a detective upon her arrival that her son had passed away while trying to break up the altercation.
The investigation into the homicide was taken over by the Hampton Police Division's Major Crimes Unit. At the time of the initial reports, authorities had not taken any suspects into custody, and the investigation was ongoing as they sought to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. The community and Sterling's family were left mourning a man described as intelligent, humorous, and talented by those who knew him. His mother expressed her profound grief and disbelief, stating that her son had no known enemies and was killed in a senseless act of violence while trying to prevent further conflict. The loss has had a devastating impact on his two daughters, who are now left without their father.
