In the summer of 2013, a North Carolina family was struck by tragedy when they traveled to Virginia for a family gathering. On the evening of Monday, July 8th, gunfire erupted in the 200 block of East Broadway Avenue in Hopewell. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered two individuals from North Carolina suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims was 39-year-old Velacita Monte Jones.
Both Jones and the male victim were urgently transported to John Randolph Medical Center
for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Velacita Jones succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. The male victim was later transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center for further care. The Hopewell Police Department initiated a homicide investigation into the shooting.
In the days following her death, Velacita Jones was remembered by her family as a loving mother and sister. An obituary published on July 11, 2013, celebrated her life and announced funeral services to be held in her hometown of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a fund established for her children.
Despite the initial investigation by the Hopewell Police Department, there have been no public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the years since Velacita Jones's death. Her case remains an unsolved homicide, leaving a lingering sense of loss and unanswered questions for her family and community.
