Henry County deputies ask for help to find murder suspect

WSLS News Staff
Published: April 1, 2008

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office asks for your help again to help officers track down a murder suspect.

Investigators tell us 17-year-old Christopher Lee Wharton faces charges of first degree murder, robbery, and two felony gun charges, in connection with the murder and robbery of Heath Alloway.

Detectives say the incident happened on March 16th, at Alloway’s home on 158 Erwin Street, in the Villa Heights area outside of Martinsville.  Witnesses told police that three men went into Alloway’s home, then a fight started, then someone fired a gun, and the three men drove off in a car being driven by a fourth man.  Investigators believe the men went to Alloway’s home to rob him, and that Wharton fired the gun that killed Alloway.

Officers previously arrested and charged another 17-year-old, as well as 18-year-old Joshua Claytor in connection with the murder and robbery.

Deputies tell us Christopher Wharton is from Danville.  He’s a black young man, with brown eyes, stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 154 pounds.  Wharton goes by the aliases: “50 Wharton,“ “Little 50,“ and “50.“

Investigators say they are also still working on identifying the driver of the getaway car.  Deputies believe the car involved is a black 4-door Dodge Stratus.

If you have any information, call the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 638-8751.