In the small town of Gretna, Virginia, a community was left in shock and mourning after the tragic death of Tony Demond Gill, a 46-year-old African American man. On the evening of July 27, 2025, Gill was fatally shot at a convenience store on West Gretna Road. When first responders from the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, Gretna police, and Virginia State Police arrived at the scene, they found Gill deceased. The incident sent ripples of grief through the area, where Gill was a well-respected special education teacher and the head coach of the girls' basketball team at Franklin County High School.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the arrest of 52-year-old James Richard Mattox. Authorities confirmed that Mattox and Gill were acquainted, with some reports indicating they were friends and distant cousins. On the night of the shooting, the two men had reportedly been at a card game together and stopped at the convenience store. An argument is said to have broken out between them, which tragically escalated to Mattox allegedly shooting Gill in the face at point-blank range. The exact motive for the dispute remains unclear.
Following the incident, James Richard Mattox was taken into custody and charged with murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was held without bond. In the wake of Gill's death, the community rallied to support his family, remembering him as a beloved husband, father, mentor, and role model. Friends and family described him as a man who had turned his life around from a troubled youth and was dedicated to giving back to his community and making a positive impact on the lives of his students and players. His death was a profound loss for all who knew him.
