July 22, 2019
A Richmond Police
Department officer suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds last night
while he and several other officers responded to a call for a disorderly crowd
in the Southern Tip of Highland Park neighborhood. He remains hospitalized with
wounds to both legs although only a single shot was fired. Surgery is scheduled
for later today. He is expected to make a full recovery.
At approximately
9:27 p.m., Sunday, July 21, RPD officers were called to the 2600 block of 5th
Avenue for a disorderly crowd. When officers arrived, the crowd dispersed. As
officers attempted to detain one member of the group, a handgun discharged,
wounding the officer.
RPD detectives
have determined that the weapon, which was being carried concealed inside a
backpack by that individual, discharged unexpectedly.
David B. Ford, 22,
of the 700 block of Harwood Farm Drive, has been charged with Carrying a Concealed
Weapon, a misdemeanor.
“I’m glad our
officer is going to fully recover,” said RPD Chief William C. Smith. “I’ve
visited with him in the hospital. He’s in good spirits. His family is with him.
Other officers are visiting him as well. It will be a good day for this
Department when he returns to active duty. It’s the unknown threat that every
officer must face when they are asked to respond to calls like this one.”
David B. Ford
