Advisory: Ford Avenue Homicide Investigation

 

June 7, 2026

 

Ford Avenue Homicide Investigation

                                       

Today at approximately 7:26 a.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Ford Avenue for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

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

 

Anyone with information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective J. Higgins at (804) 646-7570 or call 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: North Avenue Homicide Investigation

 

June 5, 2026            

 

North Avenue Homicide Investigation                      

 

Today at approximately 6:13 a.m., officers were called to the 4000 block of North Avenue for the report of a person stabbed. Once on scene, officers located an adult male inside of a residence suffering from an apparent stab wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

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

 

Anyone with 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 also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Person Charged for Concealed Weapon Violation Near Graduation Site

Person Charged for Concealed Weapon Violation Near Graduation Site

At approximately 12:03 p.m., Richmond Police Department officers and detectives who were providing security efforts outside of a high school graduation venue observed an individual who appeared to be concealing a weapon. Officers approached the adult male in the 1100 block of West Broad Street, interacted with him and located and seized the firearm.

Trevor Richardson, 22, of Richmond, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The photo of the firearm is attached. His booking photo is not available.

RPD, in coordination with VCU Police and Richmond Public Schools, provides security efforts outside graduation venues as a standard approach to public safety. Part of this effort is checking surrounding parking areas and decks for firearms offenses.

The RPD asks anyone attending the upcoming graduation events not to bring firearms and continues to ask all persons not to store firearms in an unsecured manner in vehicles.

Richardson was near the graduation location but did not approach or enter the venue with the firearm. No firearms were present in the graduation venue, although altercations occurred in the morning ceremony which resulted in a robust public safety response from RPD, VCU Police and RPS.

Anyone with information about people who intend to disrupt an upcoming event is asked to call 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: Victims Identified in Treehaven Drive Double Homicide Investigation

 

May 26, 2026

 

Victims Identified in Treehaven Drive

Double Homicide Investigation

 

Richmond Police detectives have identified the two victims from the double homicide investigation on Treehaven Drive as James Belcher, III, 26, of Richmond and Isaiah Jackson, 26, of Richmond.

 

On Friday at approximately 11:12 p.m., officers were called to the 1500 block of Treehaven Drive for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located two adult males inside the residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One male, Belcher, was pronounced deceased at the scene and the second male, Jackson, was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries later that night.

 

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

 

Major Crimes detectives continue to investigate and ask anyone with information about this double homicide investigation to contact Major Crimes Detective G. Sullivan at (804) 646-3929 or call 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.

Operation Safe Summer Begins

Operation Safe Summer Begins

The Richmond Police Department will today launch Operation Safe Summer (OSS), a collaborative effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies led by the RPD to suppress violent crime and increase public safety throughout Richmond.

This comprehensive approach, slated to continue through early September, aligns with the ‘Hotspot’ location strategy of Chief Rick Edwards. The Hotspot locations are areas of clustered reports of gun violence. Chief Edwards has devoted focused enforcement and officer visibility in these areas to deter violent crime and Operation Safe Summer will use this research in a targeted approach. Operation Safe Summer will include the following:

 

1.      State partnership. In collaboration with RPD, Virginia State Police will support by providing State Troopers and patrol cars within the city, focusing on violent crime Hotspot areas in alignment with existing department strategies.

2.      Federal partnerships. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) will work in partnership with RPD combining resources to identify, investigate, and prosecute the most significant drivers of gun violence and other violent crime.

3.      Local partnership. The Richmond Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney will work in partnership with RPD in investigative consultations and prosecutions of subjects identified through this Operation. Other groups, such as Richmond Community Mediators, the RPD Chaplain program and the Trauma Healing and Response Network, among others, will all work to contribute to the safety of the public. Richmond Public Schools will be continuing their effective work with key partners like ChildSavers and Communities in Schools to provide resources. The Department of Justice Services is continuing to convene the city’s Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention Steering Committee which established the GVPI Hotline of (804) 646-5987.

4.      Community partnership. Meaningful law enforcement engagement with the community is essential to building trust and earning legitimacy and is a core value of the department. RPD Community Pop-Up events provide activities and resources to families as part of the strategy to prevent violent crime. The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at 5 p.m. in the Lucks Field community in the 1900 block of U Street. Also taking place every month are Command Staff Community Walks to foster relationships with community members and accept input and feedback.

5.      Invest in and distribute gun safes. RPD has utilized American Rescue Plan grant funding to make gun safes available for Richmond families who may have a firearm at home and want to store it safely. Individuals can request gun safes by calling (804) 516-0451.

6.      Positive Environments for Youth. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities offers a variety of summer programs for children and youth at no/low cost. Space is still available in many PRCF camps. Additionally, PRCF is bringing back "Late Night Gym," which will begin June 12 and operate from 6 – 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings through August 15 at the T.B. Smith Community Center on Ruffin Road, Luck’s Field Community Center on U Street and Southside Community Center on Old Warwick Road. The gyms will not operate on June 19, July 3 and July 4.

 “We have a citywide strategy to help ensure a safer summer for everyone in Richmond,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “We are grateful to our city agencies and community partners for bringing their energy, expertise, and commitment to this effort. Most importantly, the role of the community is essential. By working together, we can make this a safer summer for all.”

 The RPD is asking citizens to safely store their firearms and lock their vehicles to support the violent crime reduction work.

RPD Command Staff Walk in Highland Terrace and Green Park Neighborhoods

RPD Command Staff Walk in Highland Terrace and Green Park Neighborhoods

 

WHAT:         Richmond Police Department Command Staff Community Walk

 

WHEN:         5 p.m., TODAY, May 20

 

WHERE:      The meeting location will be 1100 E. Brookland Park Boulevard

 

Richmond Police Department command staff and Fourth Precinct officers will walk in Sector 411 with collaborating public safety partners to interact with residents and business owners and offer crime prevention tips. Sector 411 Lieutenant Brian Sheridan and participants will engage residents to better understand their needs and hear their concerns and suggestions for improvements in public safety.

 

BACKGROUND:    

This walk is part of a series as the RPD Command Staff walks and talks with residents and business owners throughout the various city precincts, which has been a longstanding tradition of the department. The RPD is committed to cultivating opportunities for open dialogue and building relationships with citizens that extend beyond the response to emergencies. 

Advisory: Male Found in James River Death Investigation

     Male Found in James River Death Investigation

    May 19, 2026

Today at approximately 11:27 a.m., a person fishing on the banks of Great Shiplock Park on Dock Street observed what appeared to be a body in the James River and called 911.   Richmond Police Department officers and the Richmond Fire Department Water Rescue Team responded to the scene.   The RFD Water Rescue Team launched from the Ancarrow’s Landing Park boat ramp and located an adult male in the river and transported him back to Ancarrow’s Landing Park. He was pronounced dead at the scene.   The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.   Detectives with the RPD Major Crimes division have initiated a death investigation and have begun efforts to identify the male.   Anyone with information about this death investigation or the possible identity of this individual is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 app may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.