Charlottesville Police Chief Holds Town Halls on Violence

Chief Michael Kochis attended two town halls Monday addressing gun violence, conflict resolution and public safety technology.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a red-brick civic building facade with a flagpole against softly receding hills, in a muted institutional register. — Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis held two town halls Monday on gun violence, conflict resolution and public safety technology after a Halloween shooting at Tonsler Park. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis attended two town hall meetings on Monday, one hour apart, following a shots-fired incident at a Trunk or Treat event at Tonsler Park on Halloween night. The first focused on gun violence and conflict resolution, and the second, the first of seven "Let's Talk!" events, focused on public safety technology.

Why it matters

The town halls gave Charlottesville residents a direct channel to police leadership after a shooting at a community event. Kochis said he is committed to developing a plan to address the complex issues raised.

A 15-year-old male has been arrested in connection with the Halloween shots-fired incident at Tonsler Park, according to the extraction. The investigation's broader status and any charges beyond the arrest were not detailed in the source.

The players

Michael Kochis

Charlottesville Police Chief who attended both town halls and committed to helping organize more community events.

Kate Lambert

CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia who offered to host the first town hall at the club.

The details

Both town halls were attended by city government staff, city schools staff and Charlottesville City School Board members. Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia CEO Kate Lambert offered to host the first meeting at the club on Cherry Ave., and Kochis said the city council has been very supportive and has given him what he needs.

Halloween night: shots-fired incident at Tonsler Park Trunk or Treat event.
Monday: two town halls held on gun violence and public safety technology.
Wednesday at 7 p.m.: next "Let's Talk!" event at the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.
Jan. 13: final scheduled "Let's Talk!" event.

Legal Context

The Monday town halls are the first of seven CPD "Let's Talk!" events, a community engagement series launched in response to a shooting at a Halloween event at Tonsler Park. The series pairs public dialogue on violence prevention and public safety technology with ongoing police outreach in Charlottesville.

Residents of Charlottesville can attend the remaining "Let's Talk!" events to raise concerns directly with police leadership. The series is a practical opportunity for neighborhood input on violence prevention and public safety technology before the next plan is developed.

The takeaway

Residents who want a voice in local public safety can attend the upcoming "Let's Talk!" events, the next of which is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association meeting.

What happens next

Six more "Let's Talk!" events are scheduled, including the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m., with the final one on Jan. 13.