Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis spoke this morning about the tragic shooting that marked the city’s first homicide via gun violence of 2025. The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. Sunday January 26th, on the 200 block of Water Street and claimed the life of 22-year-old Jahaanz Wilson. “This is a sad situation,” Chief Kochis said during the interview, adding, “It feels like a broken record sometimes, continuing to talk about the same story.” 

The Chief emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving such cases, urging witnesses to come forward. “We know that there were a lot of individuals that witnessed this,” he explained. “Any information whatsoever that somebody may know, please call us, call Crime Stoppers, you can remain anonymous…our detectives have been working all day and night.” 

Chief Kochis also addressed the broader issue of recurring violence involving young individuals, noting the need for systemic accountability. “We see this all the time. We need to get our arms around that at every level within the criminal justice system, not just law enforcement,” he stated. 

Chief Kochis will participate in a community discussion at Burley Middle School on Tuesday evening January 28th at 5:30. The event, planned as part of the city’s “Safe Neighborhoods” initiative, aims to engage residents in addressing the underlying issues contributing to violence. 

The Charlottesville Police Department continues to investigate the case, reviewing video footage and working alongside the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Authorities urge anyone with information to assist in bringing justice for the victim and their family. 

Listen here for the full conversation: