CHARLOTTSEVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Police Chief Mike Kochis indicates things didn’t have to go down the way they did causing the four-and-a-half-hour shelter in place at the University of Virginia and Lewis Mountain neighborhood for a fugitive hunt. Kochies tells WINA Morning News when asked why Nyeem Hill is free, “I share that same question, and I’ll be honest with you: I’m kind of beside myself wondering why he’s out.”

Hill has been free since December 16 after Kochis said he served 8 of a 14-month sentence for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced July 8 to 5 years with 3-years-and-10-months suspended for a November 2023 incident where he was found in possession of a AR-15 rife and a handgun inside the Westhaven playground. 18-years old at the time, it was his first conviction as an adult after convictions on felonious actions as a juvenile. Kochis said the Commonwealth’s Attorney had actually asked Hill serve at least 3 years of the 5, but that was “ignored” by the court.

In addition, Kochis said the incident for which he’s wanted on charges in Albemarle County Circuit Court of malicious wounding, malicious wounding by mob, and gang participation occurred July 10 while he was incarcerated. Even though Hill was being investigated in that July incident, Kochis said he was still released in December. The court issued true bills on those charges February 3, and true bills and a capias February 4.

Kochis tells Morning News he does not think the courts are taking seriously enough crimes involving firearms. It’s an issue he has expressed over and over again in relation to a number of shootings in the area and says is a problem that resulted in Tuesday’s lockdown and manhunt.