Henry County, Virginia — Community Grieves the Heartbreaking Loss of 39-Year-Old Rhonda Hairston, Devoted Mother and Aspiring Nurse Fatally Shot in Her Ridgeway Home

Henry County, Virginia — Community Grieves the Heartbreaking Loss of 39-Year-Old Rhonda Hairston, Devoted Mother and Aspiring Nurse Fatally Shot in Her Ridgeway Home

The tight-knit community of Henry County, Virginia, is reeling from profound sorrow following the tragic and senseless death of 39-year-old Rhonda Hairston, a beloved mother of three and aspiring nurse, who was fatally shot inside her Ridgeway home over the weekend. What began as a quiet evening in the small community has now turned into a heartbreaking tragedy that has left family, friends, and neighbors shattered.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to Hairston’s residence in the Ridgeway area shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Saturday after reports of gunfire were received from nearby residents. When authorities arrived, they discovered Rhonda suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside her home. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by first responders and paramedics, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators have described the incident as an isolated act of domestic violence, and a suspect—whose name has not yet been publicly released pending formal charges—was taken into custody without incident later that night. Authorities confirmed that Hairston and the suspect knew each other, and the shooting stemmed from what they described as a domestic dispute that tragically escalated beyond control.

“This was a horrific and heartbreaking act of violence,” said Sheriff Wayne Davis during a Sunday press briefing. “Ms. Hairston was a caring mother, a friend to many, and a woman working toward a better future for herself and her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones as they endure unimaginable grief.”

Neighbors described Rhonda as a kind-hearted, hardworking woman who had dedicated herself to raising her three children while pursuing her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She was enrolled in nursing classes at a local community college and had recently begun clinical training. Her friends say she was motivated by a deep desire to help others and to build a better life for her children.

“She had the biggest heart,” said Tanya Lewis, a close family friend who had known Rhonda for over a decade. “She was always the one checking in on people, cooking for others, making sure everyone was okay. It breaks my heart that she’s gone. Her kids were her whole world.”

The tragedy has deeply shaken the Ridgeway community, prompting an outpouring of grief, tributes, and calls for justice. A memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now sits outside Rhonda’s home, with neighbors gathering nightly to pray and share memories of the woman whose warmth and compassion touched so many lives.

“She didn’t deserve this,” said one neighbor through tears. “Rhonda worked so hard, and she was finally finding her path again. To see her life taken in such a cruel, violent way—it’s devastating for all of us.”

As investigators continue to gather evidence, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office has pledged to seek full justice for Rhonda’s death. The suspect remains in custody, and charges are expected to include first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Authorities have also stated that counseling and victim support services are being made available to Rhonda’s children and extended family as they navigate the painful days ahead.

The community’s grief has also reignited urgent conversations about domestic violence awareness and prevention. Local advocacy groups are urging residents to recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships and to speak up before it’s too late.

“This tragedy underscores the devastating impact domestic violence continues to have on our communities,” said Angela Morton, director of the Southside Women’s Resource Center. “We must do more to ensure that victims have safe places to turn, that they’re believed, protected, and supported before the violence turns deadly.”

Rhonda Hairston’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help support her three children, who are now without their mother. Donations have poured in from across the region, reflecting the deep compassion and solidarity of a community determined to honor her memory.

In the coming days, a candlelight vigil will be held at Ridgeway Baptist Church to celebrate Rhonda’s life and to demand action against the violence that claimed her. Friends say she will be remembered not only for her radiant smile and boundless kindness but for her resilience and unwavering love for her children.

“Rhonda was the light in every room she entered,” said her cousin Melissa Hairston. “She gave so much of herself to others — her time, her laughter, her care. Our hearts are broken, but we will carry her spirit with us always.”

As Henry County mourns, residents are coming together — united in grief, calling for justice, and standing in memory of a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a dreamer whose life was cut tragically short.