‘It’s not a snitch thing, it’s a justice thing’: Investigators, loved ones beg witnesses to help solve 2021 Henrico murder

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A grieving family is pleading for the public's help as police need witnesses to come forward to help solve a four-year-old murder case where a 38-year-old man was shot in broad daylight.

Caron Wilkins, a beloved 38-year-old Henrico man, was shot in broad daylight almost exactly four years ago. Henrico County Police think they know what happened, but they need witnesses to come forward to help make their case.

Wilkins' loved ones told 8News that they are still missing the loving father more than ever. They said he held their family together, and even if they never fully get the closure they wish for, they are determined to get justice.

However, Wilkins' loved ones are proof that time does not heal all wounds.

"He has one child and she says, you know, 'Why did someone take my dad away? Didn't they know I love my dad?'' said Wilkins' Aunt, Tamara Norris.

The tragedy happened in a parking lot along Knightsmanor Court on what was described as a beautiful, sunny day on April 20, 2021.

Henrico Police explained how Wilkins was enjoying his evening outside in his community, surrounded by pleasant sights like kids playing basketball and neighbors smiling, when an altercation took place that ended in gunfire.

Henrico County Police arrived on the scene just before 5 p.m. on April 20, 2021, after receiving the call. Investigators found Wilkins with a gunshot wound and began attempting life-saving measures. However, Wilkins died after being taken to the hospital.

"It's just hard to lose your child to somebody killing him like that," said Wilkins' mother, Carmen Wilkins.

The shooting happened in broad daylight with many bystanders. On Friday, April 18, police confirmed they have at least one suspect and think they know what happened, but they need key witnesses to prove their case.

"We have a lot of cases that we can solve through other means than eyewitness testimony," said Jeff Ensor with the Henrico County Police Division. "Unfortunately, this is not one of those cases."

It's not just detectives who want witnesses to come forward.

"We just want somebody to put themselves in our shoes and see how, you know, you would feel if it was your brother or your cousin or your child," Norris said. "We're just asking for the community to try, please, to just do the right thing and help us."

Although four years have passed, the fight to hold the person who killed Wilkins accountable continues.

"It's not a snitch thing," Detective Ensor said. "It's a justice thing."

Police added that this incident is not believed to be gang-related and they do not think the person who killed Wilkins is still in the community, nor that there is any threat to the neighborhood.

Officials emphasized that it just takes one person coming forward with information.

People can submit their initial tips anonymously, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ensor at 804-501-5794.