15-year-old arrested in Tonsler Park shooting

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - A 15-year-old boy is facing felony charges in connection with a shooting at a Halloween event in Charlottesville, as police consider additional safety measures at city parks following another incident of gun violence involving children.

Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis announced the arrest Thursday, Nov. 5, following a foot pursuit and search for the suspect.

The teen is charged with attempted malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Kochis also confirmed the boy was on probation for a previous felony at the time of the shooting.

The shooting happened around 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, during a trunk-or-treat event at Tonsler Park. Families and children in Halloween costumes were gathered at the park when gunfire sent people running for safety.

Investigators believe the 15-year-old became involved in the confrontation before allegedly pulling out a .45-caliber pistol and firing toward a group.

Police did not release additional identifying information about the suspect because he is a minor.

No one was struck by gunfire, but Kochis said that does not mean children and families escaped without being hurt.

“On Sunday, after this incident, the day after, my phone didn’t stop,” Kochis said. “I heard from an overwhelming number of community members and community leaders. They shared cell phone video of the incident, and described the horror of having to flee the park with their children.”

Kochis described an interaction with a fourth grader during his weekly visit to the Boys & Girls Club on Wednesday. While helping the boy with math homework, the child asked whether the chief had been at the park when the shooting happened.

When Kochis asked whether the boy was there, the child quietly confirmed he had witnessed the incident before returning to his homework.

“That’s the real impact of this,” Kochis said. “A nine-year-old, carrying what happened that night with him in the park, quietly while he did his math homework.”

The police chief credited detectives, patrol officers, forensic investigators, prosecutors and community members who shared video and information with helping investigators make the arrest.

Police have not yet recovered the firearm used in the shooting and are continuing to investigate where it came from.

The incident has renewed concerns about gun violence at public gatherings, particularly following a Fourth of July shooting in 2025 that left five people injured, including children.

On July 4, 2025, police responded to a shooting on Orangedale Avenue around 11:23 p.m., where investigators say two groups exchanged gunfire.

Five bystanders were wounded, including a nine-year-old boy, an 11-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy. A 52-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman were also injured. All five survived.

Kochis referenced that shooting during Thursday’s news conference, explaining how it influenced the department’s approach to security at community events.

He said police worked closely with organizers to provide a significant law enforcement presence at a Fourth of July event in 2026 in an effort to prevent another shooting.

However, Kochis acknowledged that providing that level of security at every public gathering comes with a financial cost.

“We also shouldn’t have to have an overwhelming presence of law enforcement at every event to keep it safe,” Kochis said.

Two officers were assigned to the Halloween event at Tonsler Park and were present when the gunfire erupted.

He also emphasized the need to address the circumstances that lead young people to pick up firearms while holding those who commit violent crimes accountable.

“I think it’s important for us to recognize that prevention and accountability, they’re not opposites,” Kochis said. “And sometimes, to protect our community, individuals need to go to jail.”

The Boys & Girls Club will host a community town hall Monday, Nov. 9, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at its Cherry Avenue location. The discussion will focus on gun violence, conflict resolution and the impact of the shooting.

Police are asking anyone with additional information about the Tonsler Park shooting to contact Crime Stoppers at (434) 977-4000.

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