The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office has released the mug shot of 48-year-old Chad Nelson Hawks, who is currently in custody on charges related to a deadly shooting early Thursday morning.
Hawks has been charged with second-degree murder and firearms offenses following the incident.
Deputies and Wytheville Police officers responded to a call around 1 a.m. on January 23, 2025, at 2605 West Ridge Road, where they discovered a woman dead from a gunshot wound.
Authorities have not yet released the identity or age of the victim, but the investigation remains ongoing.
Hawks, who was taken into custody shortly after the incident, is being held at the New River Regional Jail. In addition to the second-degree murder charge, he faces multiple firearms-related charges, though specific details regarding those charges have not been disclosed.
The Wythe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and more information is expected to be released as the case develops.
Hawks’ mug shot, now available to the public, marks a significant moment as law enforcement works to unravel the details of this tragic crime.