Johnny Dakota Edwards, 25, was found with gunshot wounds and died on April 14, 2021, in the Westfield living community on Lynchburg Road in Stokes County. Born August 10, 1995, in Forsyth County, he was the son of Tabitha A. Edwards Mabe and was known as Cody to family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, tubing, and riding four-wheelers and was remembered for his big heart and infectious laugh.

Deputies performed life-saving measures at the scene but Edwards succumbed to his injuries. The Stokes County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit opened an investigation. Matthew Culler, a resident of the same community, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon; additional charges were pending as the probe continued.

If anyone in the Westfield community knew Johnny or saw anything on the night of April 14, 2021, please come forward with information.