On December 7, 2025, 31-year-old Joshua Walls died following the fatal shooting the Charleston Police Department say is a homicide. The incident occurred inside his residence on the 800 block of Main Street, located in the Luna Park area of the city’s West Side.
A dispute inside the home between Walls and 33-year-old Jack Rolfe of St. Albans—described as an acquaintance—preceded the violence. During the confrontation, Rolfe allegedly produced a handgun and fired a single round, striking Walls in the abdomen. Rolfe then left the scene in a white Ford Fusion. This event represents the sixth homicide within Charleston and the eleventh in Kanawha County this year, pointing to ongoing concerns over community safety.
Emergency personnel found Walls without vital signs upon their arrival. Life-saving measures were attempted before he was pronounced deceased at the location. The Kanawha County Medical Examiner’s Office later verified the fatal injury as a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Investigators recovered a spent shell casing at the residence; no other individuals were reported harmed.
Joshua Walls was a longtime employee at a regional distribution center, where he worked for more than ten years as a warehouse technician. Coworkers respected his dependability in managing inventory. He had also completed vocational studies in logistics at a community college, demonstrating his commitment to building a career in that field.
Walls lived with his partner and their two young children, dedicating much of his time outside work to his family. They often spent weekends together hiking and having picnics in Kanawha State Forest. An enthusiastic woodworker, he built custom furniture for relatives and occasionally sold his pieces at local craft fairs. He also enjoyed regular pickup basketball games with friends, many of whom he had known since his school years.
As of December 9, law enforcement has increased efforts to locate Jack Rolfe, for whom warrants have been issued on a charge of first-degree murder. Searches have been extended into Cabell and Putnam Counties based on the suspect’s known connections.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Charleston Police Criminal Investigations Division at 304-348-6480 or Metro Communications at 304-348-8111, noting the prior relationship between the suspect and victim as a significant factor in the case. Additional police patrols have been assigned to the West Side to provide reassurance during the investigation.
Local community leaders have pointed to the tragedy as underscoring the need for improved conflict resolution resources in residential areas, describing Walls’ death as a preventable outcome of a personal disagreement. His family has asked for privacy as they plan a private memorial service, finding support through nearby congregations where Walls sometimes volunteered. The city remembers Joshua Walls for his quiet dedication to his family and his positive presence in the neighborhood.
