Richmond police issued a public alert for 26-year-old John Pettaway IV of Chesterfield County after investigators determined he was responsible for the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Charlamon Stokes and said he should be considered armed and dangerous. The alert went out after officers responded to a shooting call and built enough evidence to name Pettaway as the suspect in the homicide. Authorities released his description and photo to warn the public and encourage immediate tips that could help locate him before anyone else is harmed.
The shooting happened late Monday night, June 29, inside a home in the 100 block of South Pine Street near the Virginia Commonwealth University Monroe Park campus. Officers arrived around 10:20 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire and found Stokes suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives began their investigation immediately by processing the residence and interviewing people who were nearby when the shots were fired.
What police know so far is that the shooting took place inside the residence and that Pettaway fled the area on foot immediately afterward. Through evidence collected at the scene and witness statements, investigators linked Pettaway to the crime and obtained a warrant for discharging a firearm in an occupied dwelling along with charges connected to the homicide. No motive has been released, and officials have not said whether Pettaway and Stokes knew each other before the incident.
Pettaway is described as 5-foot-9 and weighing about 155 pounds. Police have not located him since the shooting, even though they issued the alert and shared his photo across social media and local news channels. The reason he remains at large is that the investigation is still active, and no arrest has been announced as detectives continue to follow leads and ask the public for help in tracking his movements.
The decision to make the alert public stems from standard procedure in active homicide cases where the suspect poses an immediate risk to the community. By sharing the details quickly, authorities hope to prevent further violence and gather information that could lead to a swift arrest. The alert also serves to keep residents informed so they can stay safe and report anything suspicious without delay.
Anyone who sees Pettaway or has information about his location should call 911 right away. Tips can also be given anonymously to Major Crimes Detective M. Godwin at 804-317-6922 or through Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. The P3 Tips smartphone app offers another confidential way to share details with investigators.
The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood close to a major university, which has left students and longtime residents concerned about safety in the area. Police continue to treat the case as a priority and are working methodically to gather more evidence while the public appeal remains active. Community cooperation remains essential in these situations because every credible tip helps move the investigation forward and supports the effort to bring the case to a resolution.
