Greensboro Tragedy: Son Charged in Father’s Murder
- Quarla Blackwell
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
On a quiet Sunday evening in Greensboro, North Carolina, tragedy struck a family and shocked the community. At around 7:30 p.m. on December 7, 2025, police responded to the 700 block of West Terrell Street after reports of a shooting. Inside the home, officers found Chris Ratliff, 59, unresponsive from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The alleged shooter was his own son, 20‑year‑old Pretance Joquann Ratliff. According to the Greensboro Police Department, Pretance was detained at the scene without incident and later charged with first‑degree murder. He is currently being held in the Guilford County Jail without bond.
This case marks one of the most disturbing family‑related homicides in Greensboro this year. Authorities have not yet released details about what led to the shooting, but the incident underscores the growing concern about domestic violence and gun crime in the city. Police confirmed that this was the 39th homicide in Greensboro in 2025, a grim statistic that highlights the city’s struggle with violent crime.
Neighbors expressed shock at the killing, describing the Ratliff family as quiet and private. The sudden violence has left the community grappling with questions of motive and prevention.
The Greensboro Police Department has urged anyone with additional information to contact Crime Stoppers, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital in piecing together the circumstances of the case.
Key Facts
Suspect: Pretance Joquann Ratliff, 20
Victim: Chris Ratliff, 59
Location: 700 block of West Terrell Street, Greensboro, NC
Date/Time: December 7, 2025, around 7:30 p.m.
Charge: First‑degree murder
Status: Held without bond in Guilford County Jail
Context: 39th homicide in Greensboro in 2025
This case is still developing, and investigators are working to uncover what led a son to allegedly take his father’s life. For now, Greensboro mourns another life lost to violence, and a family torn apart in the most devastating way.
Author: Quarla Blackwell
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