HOPEWELL, Va. — A Petersburg man was arrested and charged with First Degree Murder in the December 14 shooting death of 22-year-old Treon Marquise Ellis. Joseph Emmanuel Crews, 23, was arrested Thursday. In addition to the first degree murder charge, Crews was also charged with Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony and Tampering with Evidence.
Crews and Ellis were considered acquaintances, police said. No motive for the shooting was released by investigators.
“A steady and relentless investigation by all the officers involved led to the arrest of this offender,” Hopewell Police Lt. Damon Stoker said. “Most of all, we hope the arrest will allow the family of Treon Ellis some measure of comfort.”
Ellis died December 14, 2014, behind a home along the 1600 block of Stewart Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene after police arrived at about 12:15 a.m.
Crews is being held at Riverside Regional Jail with no bond.
Detectives said they hoped Crews’ arrest would prompt others with information about this murder to come forward. Anyone with information was asked to call Hopewell Police at 541-2222, or the Hopewell/Prince George Crime Solvers at 541-2202.