Sept. 25, 2018
Police
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA – Chesterfield County Police have identified the suspect responsible for a fatal shooting that occurred in the 8700 block of Hull Street Road on Oct. 24, 2015.
At about 1:20 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2015, police responded to a reported motor vehicle crash in the 8700 block of Hull Street Road. Upon arrival, police located the adult male driver of the vehicle, who had sustained a gunshot wound. The driver, identified as Nickolas E. Clavier, 32, was transported to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Both the police department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner initially classified Clavier’s death as accidental. Through additional forensic testing and investigation, the Chesterfield County Police Department re-classified Clavier’s death as a homicide in May 2018. The following month, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of the person or persons responsible for the homicide of Clavier.
Following the announcement of the additional reward, detectives became aware of information that was found to be credible. Detectives discovered a connection between the Oct. 24, 2015, shooting of Clavier and a fatal shooting that took place in another jurisdiction the following day. Forensic testing revealed that the same gun was used in both shootings. A male suspect, Jerquell O. Cheatham, of Richmond, was identified. Cheatham, who was 21 at the time of the shooting, died in 2016.
At this point, the investigation indicates that just before the Oct. 24, 2015 shooting, Clavier was involved in a road rage incident with the vehicle containing the Cheatham. During the incident, Clavier displayed a firearm, and Cheatham, who was also armed, pulled out his firearm and shot toward Clavier’s vehicle. The bullet fatally struck Clavier and the suspect vehicle fled the scene.
As the offender is deceased, no criminal charges will be filed, and the case is now closed.