Heather Burrow says the call came moments before a shooting that changed her life.
RICHMOND, Va. — A civil lawsuit filed by shooting survivor Heather Burrow is focusing new attention on what she says happened after she asked Kenbridge’s police chief for help on Feb. 8.
Burrow, a former Kenbridge police officer, says she feared Charles A. Stokes, her ex-partner and the father of her child, before she went to pick up their daughter. The lawsuit says she called Police Chief Christopher Wallace for a police escort. It claims Wallace refused and then told Stokes about the request.
The suit seeks more than $143 million from the Town of Kenbridge and Wallace, plus punitive damages. It accuses them of gross negligence and says their actions increased Burrow’s danger. Stokes faces separate criminal charges, including aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The lawsuit does not name him as a defendant.
Burrow said Stokes had been pressing her to spend time with him and their daughter earlier that day. She said his messages became concerning, so she reached out to Wallace because of their past work relationship. Burrow said Wallace told her he did not want to get involved. Her attorneys say Wallace then contacted Stokes, who soon called Burrow angry that she had involved others.
According to the lawsuit, Burrow drove to Stokes’ property and stayed in her vehicle, ready to leave. The complaint says Stokes carried their daughter outside in a car seat but placed the child in his own vehicle. Burrow said she asked what he was doing. The lawsuit says Stokes then got into his car and pointed a handgun toward her before opening fire.
Burrow said she heard glass break and gunfire as she folded herself toward the passenger side of the car. The suit says she was struck about 10 times, with many wounds affecting her left arm, shoulder and back. It says she drove away while injured and contacted emergency help. Her sister, who had been on FaceTime, also called 911 after hearing gunshots.
The complaint says Burrow suffered lasting injuries, including a shattered shoulder and a bullet that doctors cannot safely remove. Burrow said her recovery has included surgeries, physical therapy and limits on daily tasks. “Day to day tasks, having a job has been a task, trying to keep up,” she said.
The lawsuit also claims Kenbridge officials had prior warnings about Stokes, including alleged abuse, threats and concerns tied to his access to firearms as an officer. It says the department failed to discipline, suspend or remove him before the shooting. The town has not publicly addressed the lawsuit in detail, and Stokes’ attorney declined to comment to CBS 6.
A judge is expected to consider on July 1 whether the case should remain in Richmond. Burrow’s legal team says the case cannot be fairly tried in Lunenburg County because of the area’s size, local connections and public attention.
For now, Burrow remains in recovery while the civil case moves forward and Stokes’ criminal case continues separately. She said her daughter remains her reason to keep going.
Author note: Last updated June 19, 2026.