On the evening of June 29, 2026, the life of 23-year-old Charlamon L. Stokes Jr. was tragically cut short in a shooting that occurred in Richmond, Virginia. The incident took place inside a residence in the 100 block of South Pine Street, near the Virginia Commonwealth University campus. Neighbors remembered Stokes as a beloved athlete and a fun-loving spirit.
His sudden death left a void in his community, with family and friends mourning the loss of a young life.
The Richmond Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation. Through evidence gathered at the scene and witness statements, investigators identified 26-year-old John Pettaway the Fourth, of Chesterfield County, as the suspect in the fatal shooting. A warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of Discharging a Firearm in an Occupied Dwelling, and he was considered armed and dangerous. Authorities released a physical description of Pettaway as being approximately 5'9" tall and weighing around 155 pounds, urging the public to call 911 if they had any information on his whereabouts.
In the days following the shooting, the search for John Pettaway the Fourth intensified, with the U.S. Marshals joining the manhunt. Law enforcement agencies appealed to the public for assistance, emphasizing the danger the fugitive posed to the community. As of early July 2026, Pettaway remained at large, and the investigation was ongoing. The case overview is that of a young man whose life was taken by gun violence, with a suspect identified and actively sought by law enforcement. The motive for the shooting had not been publicly released, and there were no further updates available regarding an arrest, trial, or conviction in the case.
