Kennija Ware, 32, was shot and killed in Lynchburg, Virginia in the early morning hours of Saturday, January 24, 2026. Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 2:27 a.m. in the 700 block of Jackson Street; with help from family members they located Ware seriously injured. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. Authorities say the death is being treated as a homicide and describe the shooting as targeted. Police have also said they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the community. No arrests have been announced and no suspects have been publicly identified as the investigation remains active.

Born in Lynchburg on January 5, 1994, Ware graduated from Heritage High School and attended Ferrum College. He was a father to his son Nasiah Fleshman, brother to Kenneth Ware Jr., and a member of Prayer of Faith Church. His family remembers his love of travel, sightseeing and time spent with friends and relatives.