October 11, 2017
The Richmond Police
Department was involved in a fatal shooting last May in which Jaison Fitzgerald
was killed. RPD Officer Cleophas Williams was placed on administrative leave immediately following the shooting.
Chief Alfred Durham met this
week with Fitzgerald’s family to express his condolences in person.
“This has been a difficult
time for everyone involved in this case,” said RPD Chief Alfred Durham. “Mr. Fitzgerald’s family, Officer Williams and his
family, and the Department have all been deeply affected by what happened. A
life was lost, and for that I am sorry.”
The Department will conduct
an administrative investigation into the case now that the Commonwealth
Attorney’s Office has declined to prosecute Officer Williams. He returned to
active duty September 20 following that notification.
The shooting occurred shortly
after 6 p.m., Monday, May 15 during a traffic stop in the 3800 block of
Lynhaven Avenue.
Officer Williams was not
wearing a body-worn camera. The RPD
has been unable to locate any video of the shooting, either from other officers
or bystanders.
