RICHMOND, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Governor Glenn Youngkin signed Executive Order 41 today, launching a statewide partnership to combat gang and community violence, including recent incidents in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County region. The initiative focuses on tackling gang activity, drug and human trafficking, and firearms-related violence while supporting victims and affected communities.

Youngkin emphasized the Administration’s ongoing efforts, stating, “We are committed to combatting gang recruitment and ending the rise of gang violence across this great Commonwealth.” The Governor noted past successes in reducing crime through programs like Operation Bold Blue Line and Operation Ceasefire.

Recent gang activity in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County region has been marked by violent incidents and large-scale drug trafficking. On October 19, 2024, a suspected gang-related shooting in the 1600 block of Rio Hill Drive resulted in the death of 23-year-old Zerrion Eubanks-Warfield, with another victim sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. This incident followed a federal indictment in September 2023, where 17 individuals were charged with distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in the area. These cases reflect ongoing gang-related criminal activity in the region.

Virginia law enforcement is actively addressing over 650 identified criminal street gangs. The executive order will centralize gang-related data, form a gang intelligence task force, enhance youth prevention strategies, and support criminal justice personnel through specialized training and investigations.

Secretary Terry Cole highlighted the broader threat posed by organized crime groups, including transnational gangs like MS-13, and stressed that the new strategy will focus on eradicating gang-related criminal activity.

These initiatives follow earlier programs that have reportedly reduced murders by 34% and violent crime by 12% in participating cities.