On a summer day in Hopewell, Virginia, the life of 23-year-old Alexander Allen III was tragically cut short. The young Black man was found deceased on August 21, 2018, inside a residence on Ruth Harris Way. He was not alone; another man, 31-year-old Joseph D. Wooden, was also discovered dead at the scene, both victims of gunshot wounds in what police would investigate as a double homicide. The grim discovery was made by Wooden's mother, who had grown concerned after being unable to reach her son.
Alexander, known to be a cherished member of his community, was a graduate of Hopewell High School where he had been a member of the JROTC. At the time of his passing, he was an employee of Chesterfield County Schools. His family and friends remembered his love for music and dancing. His sudden and violent death sent ripples of grief and shock through the community, leaving his parents, siblings, and a wide circle of relatives and friends to mourn their profound loss.
For nearly a year, the families of Alexander Allen III and Joseph Wooden awaited answers. The Hopewell Police Department diligently pursued the case, following leads and gathering evidence. Their investigation culminated on May 22, 2019, with the arrest of a suspect. Jamonte C. Brothers, then 33 years old, was taken into custody and faced serious charges in connection with the double murder. The charges brought against him included two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of abduction, in addition to one count of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. While the arrest marked a significant breakthrough in the case, authorities indicated that the investigation would remain ongoing to determine if any other individuals were involved in the deaths of the two men.
