In the late morning of September 15, 2024, the quiet of a Henrico, Virginia neighborhood was shattered by the sound of gunfire. At approximately 11:36 a.m., Henrico Police were dispatched to the 100 block of South Cedar Avenue in the Varina District following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered the body of 30-year-old James Lawitz in the side yard of a residence.
He had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene, a senseless act of violence that cut short a promising life.
James Lawitz, a man known for his kind heart and dedication, was a native of the Albany, New York area who had relocated to Henrico. A standout football player in high school and college, Lawitz had channeled his passion for sports into a career of helping others. He worked as a teacher, personal trainer, and coach, touching the lives of many young athletes. His ambition and desire to serve his community had recently led him to pursue a career as a firefighter, and he had just passed the written and physical exams required to join a Virginia fire department. His family and friends remembered him as a loyal and generous individual with a smile that could light up any room.
The investigation into Lawitz's death moved swiftly. The day after the fatal shooting, Henrico County Police announced the arrest of a suspect, 18-year-old Troy Vincent Charran Jr., also a resident of Henrico. Charran was taken into custody and has been charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. While an arrest has been made, the police have not yet released details regarding a possible motive for the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to follow up on leads.
