The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office has charged 48-year-old Chad Nelson Hawks with second-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a woman early Thursday morning.
Hawks is currently in custody at the New River Regional Jail. As of this time, a mugshot has not been made publicly available.
Around 1:00 a.m. on January 23, law enforcement responded to a call at 2605 West Ridge Road in Wytheville, Virginia.
Deputies, along with Wytheville Police officers, arrived at the scene to discover the body of a female who had been shot to death.
Authorities have not yet released her name or age, pending notification of next of kin.
In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Hawks is facing firearms-related charges. Investigators have not yet provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the case, and more information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
Residents of Wythe County are urged to stay informed as law enforcement works through this ongoing investigation.