Charleston Police Department launched a homicide investigation after 31 year old Joshua Walls was fatally shot around 2 a.m. on December 7, 2025, in the 800 block of Main Street near the Luna Park neighborhood on the city’s West Side.
Walls, a lifelong Charleston resident, suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen during a verbal altercation inside his residence with acquaintance Jack Rolfe, 33, of St. Albans. The incident marked the sixth homicide in Charleston for the year and the 11th in Kanawha County, underscoring persistent community safety challenges.
The argument escalated rapidly when Rolfe arrived unannounced at Walls’ home, leading Rolfe to draw a handgun and fire once before fleeing in a white Ford Fusion sedan, according to witness statements and preliminary scene analysis.
First responders discovered Walls unresponsive upon arrival, administering aid before pronouncing him dead at the location; the Kanawha County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed the cause of death as the abdominal gunshot injury. Evidence recovery included the spent casing, with no other occupants reported injured.
Walls balanced a steady career as a warehouse technician at a local distribution center for over a decade, where colleagues valued his reliability in inventory management roles. He pursued vocational training in logistics at a community college, reflecting his interest in operational efficiency and career advancement within the sector.
A dedicated family man, Walls shared his modest home with his longtime partner and their two young children, prioritizing weekend outings to Kanawha State Forest for hiking and picnics. He cultivated a passion for woodworking, crafting custom furniture pieces for relatives and displaying them at annual craft fairs. Walls maintained an active lifestyle through pickup basketball games at neighborhood courts, fostering bonds with longtime friends from his high school days.
As of December 9, authorities intensified the manhunt for Rolfe, issuing warrants for first degree murder and expanding searches to Cabell and Putnam Counties based on known associations. Charleston Police urged tips via their Criminal Investigations Division at 304 348 6480 or Metro Communications at 304 348 8111, emphasizing the suspect’s familiarity with the victim as a key investigative thread. The department deployed additional patrols in the West Side to reassure residents amid the ongoing pursuit.
Community advocates called for enhanced conflict mediation resources in residential zones, viewing Walls’ death as a preventable escalation rooted in personal disputes. His family requested privacy while preparing a private memorial, channeling grief into support networks at local churches where Walls volunteered sporadically. Charleston unites in reflection, honoring Walls’ quiet contributions to family and neighborhood vitality.