Semmes Avenue Death Investigation

On Saturday at approximately 2:43 a.m., RPD officers were called to an apartment building in the 800 block of Semmes Avenue for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and found an adult male down and unresponsive in a stairwell. He had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.   The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.   An adult male in the apartment building reported he had exchanged gunfire with the individual. Detectives are working to determine the motives and circumstances of this incident.   Detectives investigating this incident are withholding the name of the deceased individual as they continue to investigate.   Detectives have not yet charged anyone related to this incident.   Anyone with additional information about this death investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective K. Hyde at (804) 646-3613 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Victim Identified in North 23rd Street Homicide Investigation

Victim Identified in North 23rd Street Homicide Investigation

On Saturday at approximately 10:52 p.m., RPD officers were in the area of a large block party in the 2200 block of North 23^rd Street when they heard shots fired. Officers approached the location of the gunfire, the rear of an apartment building, and found an adult male who had suffered apparent gunshot wounds. Officers rendered first aid, called for assistance, and attempted to secure the area. Officers observed an adult male running and firing a weapon near the scene. He was detained without incident.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries that night. He has been identified as Andrew Jones, 23, of Richmond.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

The individual who was detained has been charged with reckless handing of a firearm and discharging a firearm within the city limits. At this time he has not been charged related to this fatal shooting. The investigation continues.

Anyone with additional information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective D. Davenport at (804) 646-4494 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Advisory: Victim, Shooter Identified in Homicide, Suicide Investigations on Dunston Avenue, Oakwood Cemetery

   August 11, 2026  

Victim, Shooter Identified in Homicide, Suicide Investigations on Dunston Avenue, Oakwood Cemetery

 

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in yesterday’s fatal shooting on Dunston Avenue and have identified the suspect in that incident who shot himself in Oakwood Cemetery yesterday afternoon.

                                  

Yesterday at approximately 12:01 p.m., officers were called to the 4000 block of Dunston Avenue for the report of a death investigation. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female, Tanya Chavis, 58, of Richmond, down and unresponsive, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Shortly after the incident, detectives developed a possible suspect and warrants were obtained for Corey Chavis, 48, of Richmond.

 

The continuing homicide investigation led detectives and officers to Oakwood Cemetery, located in the 3100 block of Nine Mile Road.  Upon arrival, they located an adult male and female inside a vehicle. RPD’s SWAT Team responded to assist.

 

While on scene, the male, Corey Chavis, shot himself.  The female ran from the vehicle but was quickly secured by the officers. Corey Chavis was pronounced dead at the scene. The female was not injured.

 

Motive of the shooting is unknown at this time. Detectives have determined that the incident is domestic related.

 

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death for both the victim and the suspect.

 

Anyone with further information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective A. Darnell at (804) 646-3927 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Advisory: Update: Parkwood Avenue Death Investigation

 

August 10, 2026

 

Update: Parkwood Avenue Death Investigation

 

Richmond Police detectives have provided an update in the death investigation of a male found outside a structure on Parkwood Avenue last Wednesday.

 

After consultation with the Office of the Medical Examiner, preliminary investigation has indicated the absence of obvious foul play. The cause and manner of death is still under investigation.

 

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident. While an adult female in the house was detained briefly by detectives, no person has been charged at this time. The investigation continues.

 

At approximately 5:31 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, officers were called to the 3400 block of Parkwood Avenue for the report of a person down. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Christopher Draughn, 41, of Richmond, outside of a structure, down and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

As is standard with the unknown circumstances of a person down, RPD initiated a response for a possible criminal act. As part of that response, several specialized RPD units, including SWAT and the Negotiator team, responded to the scene for the possibility of a person of interest inside the structure.

 

Following several attempts to communicate with the individual a search warrant was obtained and executed. During entry, three “light, sound diversion devices” were deployed. These can sound like gunfire – but no shots were fired. The adult female was found inside the structure, was briefly placed in investigative detention, and then released. There were no other injuries.

 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective B. Plaskett at (804) 646-3431 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Update: Parkwood Avenue Death Investigation

Update: Parkwood Avenue Death Investigation

Richmond Police detectives have provided an update in the death investigation of a male found outside a structure on Parkwood Avenue on Wednesday.

After consultation with the Office of the Medical Examiner, preliminary investigation has indicated the absence of obvious foul play. The cause and manner of death is still under investigation.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident. While an adult female in the house was detained briefly by detectives, no person has been charged at this time. The investigation continues.

At approximately 5:31 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, officers were called to the 3400 block of Parkwood Avenue for the report of a person down. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Christopher Draughn, 41, of Richmond, outside of a structure, down and unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

As is standard with the unknown circumstances of a person down, RPD initiated a response for a possible criminal act. As part of that response, several specialized RPD units, including SWAT and the Negotiator team, responded to the scene for the possibility of a person of interest inside the structure.

Following several attempts to communicate with the individual a search warrant was obtained and executed. During entry, three “light, sound diversion devices” were deployed. These can sound like gunfire – but no shots were fired. The adult female was found inside the structure, was briefly placed in investigative detention, and then released. There were no other injuries.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective B. Plaskett at (804) 646-3431 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Parkwood Avenue Death Investigation

Parkwood Avenue Death Investigation

This morning at approximately 5:31 a.m., officers were called to the 3400 block of Parkwood Avenue for the report of a person down. Officers arrived and located an adult male outside of a structure, down and unresponsive. He appeared to have suffered trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Responding officers determined a person of interest in the death investigation was possibly in the structure. Out of an abundance of caution officers limited access to the area to the public and the RPD SWAT team responded to attempt to safely contact the individual.

Following several attempts to communicate with the individual a search warrant was obtained and executed. During entry, three “light, sound diversion devices” were deployed. These can sound like gunfire – but no shots were fired. An adult female was found inside the structure and was detained without incident. There were no additional injuries.

Parkwood Avenue and adjacent intersections were closed for several hours to accommodate the investigation.

Detectives are investigating.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective B. Plaskett at (804) 646-3431 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Advisory: Victim Identified in Midlothian Turnpike Homicide Investigation

August 3, 2026   

 

Victim Identified in Midlothian Turnpike Homicide Investigation

 

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in the fatal shooting that occurred on Friday as Reginald Coleman, 32, of Richmond

 

At approximately 7:29 p.m., Friday, July 31, officers were called to the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Coleman was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury.

 

The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

 

The second male was transported to a local hospital with injuries not considered to be life threatening.

 

This investigation is ongoing.

 

Anyone with information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective M. Godwin at (804) 646-5533 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.