VA Man Javon Stith ID’d As Victim Found Shot Dead At Hopewell Playground Wednesday

HOPEWELL, VA. (THECOUNT) — Javon T. Stith, from Wakefield, Virginia, has been identified as the victim found shot dead at a playground in Hopewell early Wednesday morning.

“Juice” Stith, 23, was found deceased after police arrived to 100 block of S.8th Ave. at about 12:48 a.m. Wednesday on calls of shots fired.

“Responding officers subsequently located an adult male victim near the playground who had died from apparent gunshot related injuries,” a Hopewell Police spokesperson said. “Members of the Hopewell Police Department’s Criminal Investigation and Street Crimes Units subsequently initiated a homicide investigation. The decedent has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) for autopsy.”

“Specifics regarding the motive and circumstances surrounding the homicide of Mr. Stith are not being released at this time as detectives continue to investigate and follow-up on viable leads,” a police spokesperson said. “Additional updates will be provided as the investigation develops,” reports WTVR.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, were traveling in and around the area at the time of the shooting or have any information to provide regarding the homicide, contact Lead Detective Keith Krueger at (804) 541-2284. Additionally, any person(s) who have information on this or any other crime occurring in the City of Hopewell may contact the Hopewell/Prince George Crimesolvers hotline in Hopewell at (804) 541-2202. You can also provide a tip anonymously via the P3tips app.

Friends and family members took to Facebook to remember the beloved man:

The investigation is ongoing.

Geo quick facts: Hopewell is an independent city surrounded by Prince George County and the Appomattox River in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 22,591. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Hopewell with Prince George County for statistical purposes – Wikipedia.