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ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA - On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) provided an overview of the status of the investigation of a series of connected criminal incidents that have occurred over the past several months, including vehicle larceny and shootings, and how ACPD continues to collect and process evidence to bring charges against those responsible.
Year to date, violent crime is down in Albemarle County compared to a three-year average of the same time period from 2019-2021, however, there has been an increase in both shootings and vehicle thefts in 2022.
Since May 2022, several residential areas between Barracks Road and Rio Road in Albemarle County have seen a rise in shootings and car thefts. Through ongoing investigations and collaboration with partner agencies, ACPD has arrested 10 people in connection to these incidents – seven juveniles and three adults.
ACPD has charged the following adults:
- Meleak Domorion Clark, Age 19, of Farmville, VA, arrested on 10/20/2022:
- (3) counts of § 18.2-53.1. Use or display of a firearm in committing a felony
- (3) counts of § 18.2-51.2. Aggravated malicious wounding
- § 18.2-308.2 (A) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- § 18.2-286.1. Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons
- § 18.2-279. Discharging firearms or missiles within or at a building or dwelling house
- Devontae Markel Johnson, Age 18, of Albemarle County, VA, arrested on 11/3/2022:
- (3) counts of § 18.2-53.1. Use or display of a firearm in committing a felony
- (3) counts of § 18.2-51.2. Aggravated malicious wounding
- § 18.2-308.2 (A) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- § 18.2-286.1. Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons
- § 18.2-279. Discharging firearms or missiles within or at a building or dwelling house
- Jalonnie Antonio Henson, Age 19, of Charlottesville, VA, arrested on 10/24/2022:
- (3) counts of § 18.2-53.1. Use or display of a firearm in committing a felony
- (3) counts of § 18.2-51.2. Aggravated malicious wounding
- § 18.2-308.2 (A) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- § 18.2-286.1. Shooting from vehicles so as to endanger persons
- § 18.2-279. Discharging firearms or missiles within or at a building or dwelling house
So far, this investigation has led to several charges against the juveniles, including:
- Possession of an automatic weapon
- Possession of a stolen firearm
- Possession of a stolen vehicle
ACPD is pursuing additional charges for the above individuals, as well as other suspects, in relation to these shootings. Specific details will not be shared at this time due to the ongoing investigation.
ACPD has linked most of these crimes to several groups of self-identifying gangs comprised mostly of juveniles. While these middle- and high-school-aged juveniles reside in Albemarle County, their actions and personal connections cross jurisdictional lines into the City of Charlottesville. ACPD has identified over 50 individuals associated with these gangs to date.
The juvenile justice system is distinct from the larger justice system, with its own processes and regulations. For example, adjudication in court must happen within 21 days of when a juvenile is detained. The time to process key evidence can take longer than 21 days, however, with ballistic evidence processing times at state laboratories running up to 6 months. Such physical evidence can be critical to the adjudication process.
ACPD encourages witnesses to share information about these incidents with detectives, as witness testimony can hasten the investigative process.
"To the families and residents of these neighborhoods, we hear and share in your concerns. We will continue to strive to ensure those responsible for these crimes are held accountable for their actions," stated Colonel Sean Reeves, Chief of Albemarle County Police. "To the youth participating in this criminal behavior, you have a choice to end this, it is only a matter of time before you or someone you love is shot or killed - so let’s end this cycle now."
ACPD will continue to investigate these crimes with support from partners from the Charlottesville Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, FBI’s Safe Street Taskforce, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Additionally, ACPD will work with the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure those responsible for these crimes are held accountable for their actions.
ACPD would like to thank the community groups and individuals who have come forward so far to provide information related to these incidents. This information has and will continue to assist in the apprehension of the individuals putting our community at risk. Residents are asked to report suspicious behavior to 911.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact ACPD’s Criminal Investigations Division at 434-296-5807 or CrimeStoppers at 434-977-4000 or [email protected]. You can remain anonymous.
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Timeline of Related Gun Violence Incidents
July 27, 2022, 4:05 pm, intersection of Saxton Court and Knight Court - Officers responded to a report of a juvenile who was shot.
August 16, 2022, 3:10 am, 700 block of Queens Court - Officers responded to reports of multiple occupied residences and vehicles struck by gunfire.
August 19, 2022, 4:40 pm, 400 block of Burgoyne Road - Officers responded to a report of a juvenile who was shot.
August 24, 2022, 11 pm, 900 block of Old Brook Road - Officers responded to reports of multiple vehicles and occupied residences being struck by gunfire. One bystander was struck by a vehicle while attempting to flee the area.
September 14, 2022, 5:30 pm, 2300 block of North Berkshire Road - Officers responded to the report of an adult shot during a drive-by shooting.
September 22, 2022, 7 pm, 800 block of Mallside Forest Court - Officers responded to a report of a drive-by shooting where three juveniles were struck by gunfire. In addition, occupied residences were hit.
November 07, 2022, 9 pm, 400 block of Burgoyne Road - Officers responded to a report of an armed robbery and shots fired, one juvenile was shot.
By the Numbers Summary
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50+ Individuals identified as gang affiliates
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7 Gunshot victims in the County (zero fatalities)
- 29 Stolen vehicles likely related to these groups since July 2022
- 28 Recovered by ACPD (national average recovery is 50%)
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10 Individuals arrested by ACPD
- 3 Adults
- 7 Juveniles
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8 Guns recovered
- 3 Confirmed to be stolen
- 1 fully automatic
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17 Search warrants
Crime Stats
- Violent Crime
- Part I crimes (Murder, Rape, Robbery, Agg. Assault) are down 4% compared to the 3-year average from 2019-2021.
- Albemarle County has seen 90 Part I crime cases so far in 2022, the 3-year average for the same time period is 93.33.
- Verified Shots Fired Incidents
- Comparing 2022 to an average of the previous three years (2019-2021), ACPD has seen a 15% increase in calls for service for verified shots fired.
- 131 incidents through November 2022, the 3-year average for the same time period is 114.
- ACPD often receives calls for service for "shots fired" that are ultimately found to be fireworks or a vehicle exhaust backfiring. Those "unverified" calls are not included in these stats.
- Motor vehicle thefts
- Reported cases of motor vehicle thefts are up 61% through November 2022.
- ACPD has investigated 96 motor vehicle theft cases so far in 2022, the average over the previous 3 years for the same time period is 59.67.
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