Petersburg recorded its first homicide of 2022 when 32-year-old Brian Wade Jr. was fatally shot on the afternoon of February 28 in the 2200 block of Ferndale Avenue. Emergency responders found Wade with a life-threatening gunshot wound; he was taken to a nearby hospital and died shortly after arriving.

The investigation led to the arrest of 18-year-old Ronald Parker Jr., who was located at the scene and taken into custody without incident. He faced charges including second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and discharging a firearm in the commission of a felony. Authorities did not immediately release a motive.

Wade was described as devoted to his family, passionate about music, and employed at the ALDI Distribution Center in Dinwiddie, Virginia. His fiancée was Tinesha Chin, and his daughter Zari Serenity Wade was born two days after his death. Does anyone with knowledge of the Ferndale Avenue area or those involved have information to share?