Woman Wanted for Nelson County Homicide Had Recent Legal History with Victim, Community Says
- Sam Orlando
- Apr 20
- 3 min read
Written by: Sam Orlando
NELSON COUNTY, VIRGINIA — A 22-year-old woman from Augusta County, Katelynn Ann Hipes, is wanted in connection to the shooting death of Kevin Scott Small, 47, of Shipman, Virginia. The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office issued felony warrants for Hipes on April 19 for second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Authorities confirmed that Hipes is not currently in the Nelson County area and is believed to be in another jurisdiction. Law enforcement agencies across central Virginia, including Rockingham and Albemarle counties, are working to locate her. At least one commenter on the Sheriff’s Office’s public Facebook post claimed her cell phone was last tracked west of Harrisonburg, though law enforcement has not officially confirmed that report.
The shooting occurred just two days after Hipes was reportedly acquitted in Nelson County General District Court on a charge of assault and battery, a charge filed by the homicide victim, Kevin Small. According to multiple public comments on the Nelson County Sheriff's Facebook page, the alleged incident took place in March, when Small had Hipes arrested. Several users claimed that both Small and a law enforcement officer testified against her on April 16. That same week, Small was found fatally shot outside his home.
“He actually did press charges against her, had her arrested back in March... couple days later the shooting happened in his house,” one commenter alleged. Others pointed out that Hipes had previous assault and battery charges and a protective order violation, although most of these cases were either dismissed or not prosecuted, according to publicly available court records.
The Sheriff's Office declined to release Hipes’ identity in the initial press release, citing concerns that it could “jeopardize” the overnight search for her.
The incident has triggered fierce debate online. Some argued that Small's alleged legal history should be weighed when evaluating potential motive. Others strongly rejected this framing, calling the killing “cold-blooded” and demanding justice.
“If I invite someone to my house, it doesn’t give them the right to kill me,” wrote one local resident. “She should’ve left. She apparently wasn’t afraid of him.”
The homicide remains under active investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information on Hipes’ location to contact the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office. She is considered armed and dangerous.
“Regardless of what people believe happened between them, someone lost their life,” another commenter wrote. “Let the courts do their job.”
🧾 What Is Second-Degree Murder in Virginia?
In Virginia, second-degree murder is a Class 2 felony used when a killing is intentional but not premeditated. It differs from more severe charges like first-degree or capital murder.
Second-degree murder involves malice or intent but no prior planning.
It can also cover cases where a person acts with extreme recklessness resulting in death.
Penalties include 5 to 40 years in prison.
By contrast:
First-degree murder requires evidence of planning, use of poison, or killings that occur during certain felonies (e.g., robbery, arson).
Capital murder involves aggravating factors like multiple victims or contract killings and is punishable by life imprisonment. (Virginia abolished the death penalty in 2021.)
Legal experts say second-degree charges are often filed when there’s clear evidence someone meant to cause harm or death, but insufficient proof of premeditation.
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