FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 6, 2020
On November 14, 2020, at approximately 2111 hours, Charlottesville Police Officers responded to the 800 block of Orangedale Avenue for the report of a single gunshot heard in the area. When they arrived, officers located a male laying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers performed CPR until rescue personnel arrived.
The victim, Tiewan Levert Benston, a 41-year-old resident of Charlottesville, was transported to UVA hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The Charlottesville Police Department would like to extend condolences to the family and friends of Tiewan Benston.
A suspect description was broadcast to other officers in the area. An officer spotted the suspect a short distance from the scene and he was arrested. Bryan Garick Hatcher, a 44-year-old resident of Albemarle County is charged with the following:
- 2nd Degree murder, Virginia State Code 18.2-32
- Possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, Virginia State Code 18.2-308.2
Hatcher is being held at the Albemarle/Charlottesville Regional Jail pending an initial court appearance in Charlottesville General District Court on Monday.
A charge does not constitute evidence of guilt. Every person is entitled to a presumption of innocence until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If anyone has information related to this case, please contact Detective Corporal A. Blank of the Charlottesville Police Department at (434) 970-3985.