Matthew Gutterman, a man remembered by friends as a selfless, gentle giant with a great smile and a kind personality, was 26 years old when his life was cut short by gun violence. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia, where he worked operating heavy machinery on construction sites, Matthew had spent a significant part of his twenties living in Richmond and still considered it a second home. He was an old soul who loved his friends, music, and nature.
Friends described him as a "dead head, hippie guy" who enjoyed reggaeton, tie-dye, and jam bands like Phish. An avid cyclist, he often invited friends to go riding with him. His gentle nature was especially evident in the way animals were drawn to him; friends said he was an uncle to many of their pets.
On the afternoon of Monday, October 12, 2026, Matthew was in Richmond visiting friends. Shortly before 4:30 p.m., police were called to the 1000 block of Kinney Street, near West Leigh Street in the Carver neighborhood, for reports of a shooting. Officers arrived to find Matthew unresponsive outside an apartment building. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene. The sudden, violent act left his family, friends, and community heartbroken and shaken.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting led to a tense hours-long standoff. Believing a suspect was inside a nearby apartment, the Richmond Police Department and a SWAT team surrounded the building. They eventually obtained a search warrant and made entry, but found the apartment empty. The investigation into Matthew’s death is being handled by Richmond Police Department's Major Crimes detectives. They described a person of interest as a male in his 20s with a light complexion and a thin build.
In the days following the tragedy, those who knew and loved Matthew came together to support his family and honor his memory. A friend organized a GoFundMe campaign to help alleviate the financial pressures on his family. The community response was overwhelming, quickly surpassing the initial fundraising goals. His family decided to use the funds to create a scholarship in Matthew's name, hoping to create a lasting legacy of the joy and kindness he brought to the world. A vigil was held to remember the man who was larger than life and whose personality shone through his kindness.
Friends expressed their profound sense of loss and their desire for justice. "It's absolutely sickening, sad, maddening, all of the above," one friend said. Another stated, "His family deserves closure and Matthew deserves justice because there is nothing okay about this." They hoped that even in death, Matthew could continue to be a "beacon of joy and gentleness and kindness and understanding that he always has been and will always be."
As of October 2026, the investigation into Matthew Gutterman's homicide remains active and ongoing. No arrests have been made, and the person responsible is still at large. Police are asking for the public's help. Anyone with information is urged to contact Major Crimes Detective A. Sleem at (804) 646-3871 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips app.
