Two people were injured amid multiple shootings within the last three days in Richmond, police said.
Early today, a shooting in the 4900 block of Harnett Avenue injured one person, Richmond police Capt. Al Walle reported. About 12:49 a.m., an activation from the ShotSpotter gun detection system sent police to the 4900 block of Hartnett Avenue, Walle said. Officers subsequently pursued a car that fled the scene and the vehicle crashed on Panama Avenue. The driver attempted to flee from the vehicle but was captured with help from a police canine, Walle said.
In the vehicle, officers located an AR-15, Glock pistol and ballistic vest. The suspect, who was on parole for a previous shooting and who also had active warrants for illegal firearms possession, was taken into custody, Walle said. The victim arrived at a local hospital about 40 minutes after the shooting and was in stable condition, Walle said.
On Tuesday at 2:37 a.m., a ShotSpotter activation registering eight rounds of gunfire sent officers to the 700 block of 7th Street. A man was found suffering from a gunshot wound and was transported to a local trauma center in serious-stable condition, Walle said.
On Monday at 9:33 p.m., two ShotSpotter activations sent police to the 400 block of Chanslor Avenue, where officers located 29 casings in four different calibers and a car struck by gunfire, Walle said. Just over an hour before that incident, officers responded to San Joaquin Street and Modoc Avenue for a ShotSpotter activation and located 16 bullet casings at the scene, but no evidence of anything being struck by gunfire, Walle said.
As of Tuesday, the RPD had investigated 75 shooting incidents in 2021 with 61 people injured and 15 homicides, Assistant Police Chief Louie Tirona stated in the RPD’s regular crime report to City Council. Assistant Chief Tirona said there were 19 shots fired calls within the last week alone.
Assistant Chief Tirona said the RPD has made some gains recently in addressing violent criminal elements responsible for some of the shootings. An ongoing, longterm investigation last week netted three arrests and the recovery of 15 firearms, including five rifles, one which had a 100-round ammunition magazine, he said.
No further details were immediately provided regarding suspect identifications or motives.
