Jonathan Robertson, a 28-year-old male, was fatally shot on the night of February 12, 2023, in Gretna, Virginia. The incident occurred at a Super Bowl party taking place at a rental property on Falcon Ridge Drive in the Leesville Lake area. Following the shooting, Robertson was transported in a private vehicle to the Centra emergency department in Gretna, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m.
For a period after the shooting, the case remained unsolved, prompting public pleas from Jonathan's family for any information that could lead to an arrest. Their calls for justice highlighted the fact that the house was full of people at the time of the incident, and they urged witnesses to come forward.
Over two months later, on April 25, 2023, an arrest was made in connection with the shooting. The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshal's Service, apprehended 33-year-old Cordero Montez Rucker in Lynchburg. Rucker was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and reckless handling of a firearm. At the time of his arrest for the murder, Rucker was reportedly out on bond for other weapons violations in Lynchburg.
Cordero Rucker pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following a jury trial, he was convicted of first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied building, and use of a firearm in the commission of murder. Subsequently, Rucker was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional eight years for his role in the death of Jonathan Robertson.
