Homicides up in central Virginia

During the first three months of 2009, the central Virginia region had 24 homicides, while in the 2008 period there were 20 homicides.

Among 22 localities that make up Richmond's greater metropolitan region, Petersburg saw the biggest increase.

During the first three months of this year, Petersburg had five homicides. In 2008, the city didn't record its first homicide until April and the total for the year was five.

However, Petersburg Police Chief John Dixon III said he is encouraged that arrests have been made in the first four of this year's homicide cases.

"Homicide can be one of the most difficult crimes to prevent, as its causes include social and societal factors, as well as individual psychological factors," Dixon said. "We are continuing our efforts to reduce all crime, especially violent crime."

Eleven people were slain in Richmond between Jan. 1 and March 31, the same number as during the same period last year. In 2008, city police reported 32 homicides, the fewest of any year since at least 1971.

Learned Barry, a veteran Richmond homicide prosecutor, said it is always unfortunate to have any homicides, but he's glad that the total so far this year is not any higher than it was at this time last year.

"It's holding steady at a low count, and that's what we're trying to do," Barry said. "We're trying to keep it under 50 forever."

Henrico County may have had as many as five homicides during the first quarter of 2009, compared with three during the same period last year. A man whose body was found in a home April 2 may have been dead for several days, police said.

Henrico police spokesman Lt. Doug Perry said those three cases in 2008 were domestic-related, while the first four homicides this year involved the shooting of adult males found in an open area or street.

"It seems that these homicides were more of a street-type violence," Perry said.

Several rural localities also saw violent deaths during the first part of this year.

Louisa County authorities have one confirmed homicide -- the Jan. 11 shooting death of Dawn Smythers, 52. Her husband, Forrest Smythers Jr., was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

However, investigators are trying to determine whether Reginal Cody Bowles, whose body was found at the bottom of a well in Mineral on March 6, was also the victim of foul play, said Maj. Donnie Lowe of the Louisa Sheriff's Office.

The Jan. 10 shooting death of Ervin Jermaine Crowder, 31, was the first homicide in Dinwiddie County since September 2007, said Sheriff's Office Capt. William Knott.

New Kent County has recorded one homicide. The bodies of Cheyenne Bullock Sr., 49, and his wife, Caroline Bullock, 32, were discovered with gunshot wounds in their home in the 3800 block of New Kent Highway on March 13. Authorities believe Cheyenne Bullock killed his wife and then shot himself.

No homicides were reported during the first quarter of this year in the counties of Amelia, Caroline, Charles City, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Goochland, Hanover, King and Queen, King William, Powhatan, Prince George and Sussex; the cities of Hopewell and Colonial Heights; and the towns of Ashland and Waverly.

Contact Melodie N. Martin at (804) 649-6290 or .

Staff writer Reed Williams contributed to this report.