In the early morning hours of March 29, 2024, the sound of gunfire pierced the quiet of a Henrico, Virginia neighborhood. Henrico Police were dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Nine Mile Road around 5:02 a.m. for a report of a firearm violation. Upon entering the establishment, officers made a grim discovery. Inside, they found two men who had been fatally shot.
One of the victims was identified as 36-year-old Rufus Witcher of Henrico.
The other man was 31-year-old Jemarlo Tisdale of Richmond. It was determined that the two men were not related to each other. The investigation into the double homicide began as detectives worked to piece together the events that led to the deadly shooting.
As the investigation progressed, details began to emerge about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. According to sources close to the investigation, and later confirmed by Witcher's mother, the shooting may have stemmed from a dispute during a dice game. In August 2024, Henrico Police announced that they had identified a person of interest in the case. Xavier T. Perkins, a 36-year-old from Richmond, was publicly named, and authorities stated he should be considered armed and dangerous. Perkins was also wanted on unrelated charges in Richmond. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the murders of Rufus Witcher and Jemarlo Tisdale, and the investigation remains ongoing. Police have asked for the public's help, encouraging anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of Xavier T. Perkins to come forward.
