Arrest Made in Fatal Hit and Run on Semmes Avenue

Arrest Made in Fatal Hit and Run on Semmes Avenue

Following a comprehensive investigation, Richmond Police Department officers with Second Precinct took into custody the suspect in the fatal hit and run on Semmes Avenue that occurred in January.

Yesterday without incident, officers arrested Kelvin Carr Russell, 35, of Richmond. He has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit and run, and reckless driving causing death. His booking photo is attached.

On Saturday, January 3 at approximately 11:31 p.m., officers were called to the 1400 block of Semmes Avenue, near the intersection of West 15^th Street, for the report of a person struck by a vehicle. Officers arrived and found an adult female, Kristin Tolbert, 26, of Richmond, down and unresponsive midblock in the eastbound lanes of the roadway. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The RPD Crash Team responded to investigate and determined Tolbert was crossing Semmes Avenue northbound when she was struck by a vehicle operating eastbound. The driver of the vehicle had driven from the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

The RPD Crash Team used several tools to identify the vehicle and registered owner, including video from traffic cameras and information from Flock Automatic License Plate Readers. Following consultations throughout this investigation with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, investigators obtained indictments for Carr Russell.

Anyone with further information is asked to call RPD Crash Team Investigator D. Olson at (804) 646-1664 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used.  All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Safety Cameras Relocated from a Jahnke Road Location to Cary Street Road

Safety Cameras Relocated from a Jahnke Road Location to Cary Street Road

 

The two Safety Cameras, formerly located in the 1200 block of Jahnke Road, in front of Westover Hills Elementary School, have been relocated to the 4400 block of Cary Street Road, behind Mary Munford Elementary School. The 30-day grace period at the new location will begin today. Violations generate warnings until Thursday, April 2 – when citations to the registered owners of the vehicles begin.

 

Following a review of Safety Camera data, the Richmond Police Department and the Richmond Department of Public Works determined to move the cameras from a location with fewer recorded speeding violations to an area identified as a higher priority for traffic safety.

 

“After reviewing Safety Camera data, along with observations and traffic analysis showing speeding and heavy vehicle volume on Cary Street Road, we determined the cameras at Westover Hills Elementary School should be relocated,” said RPD Special Operations Division Captain Anthony Jackson. “More than 18,000 vehicles travel past the Mary Munford Elementary School campus on Cary Street Road each day, making it critical for drivers to slow down along this busy corridor, particularly during student arrival and dismissal times.”

 

With this relocation, Mary Munford Elementary School will be the only school in the program with two sets of Safety Cameras. The first set of cameras is installed at the front of the school in the 4500 block of Grove Avenue.

 

An upcoming road construction project on Jahnke Road, which is expected to reduce vehicle speeds during repairs, was also a contributing factor in the decision to relocate the cameras. In the future, should data indicate that another school location presents a higher safety priority, Safety Cameras may be moved accordingly.

 

At the new location, Safety Cameras will operate from 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on days when school is in session.

 

Data collected by Safety Cameras is used solely for the purpose of the safety program and is not permitted to be used in other investigations.

 

Locations of Safety Cameras:

 

Huguenot High School, 7900 block of Forest Hill Avenue

Linwood Holton Elementary, 1600 block of Laburnum Avenue

Lucille Brown Middle School, 6300 block of Jahnke Road

Mary Munford Elementary School, 4400 block of Cary Street Road

Mary Munford Elementary School, 4500 block of Grove Avenue

McClenney Elementary School, 3800 block of Chamberlayne Avenue

MLK, Jr. Middle School, 1000 block of Mosby Street

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, 3400 block of Semmes Avenue

Richmond High School for the Arts, 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike

River City Middle School, 6300 block of Hull Street Road

Swansboro Elementary School, 3100 block of Midlothian Turnpike

Thomas Boushall Middle School, 3400 block of Hopkins Road

Thomas Jefferson High School, 1300 block of Malvern Avenue

For more information on the Safety Camera Program:

https://rva.gov/police/safety-camera-program

 

For more information on DPW and Vision Zero:

https://www.rva.gov/public-works/vision-zero

Pedestrian Identified in Fatal Hit and Run on South 2nd Street

Pedestrian Identified in Fatal Hit and Run on South 2nd Street

The Richmond Police Department Crash Team has identified the pedestrian involved in the fatal hit and run yesterday as Hope Cartwright, 23, of Richmond.

 

Yesterday at approximately 5:34 p.m., Fourth Precinct officers were called to the intersection of South 2^nd and East Cary streets for the report of a pedestrian stuck by a vehicle. Officers arrived and found the pedestrian, Cartwright, down and unresponsive in the northbound lanes of South 2^nd Street. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The striking vehicle had left the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

 

The RPD Crash Team responded to investigate and determined Cartwright was in the crosswalk, crossing 2^nd Street eastbound when she was struck by a vehicle making a left turn from East Cary Street.

 

Information from the scene was sent to analysts in the RPD Capital City Intelligence Center, who utilized video from traffic cameras and information from Flock Automatic License Plate Readers to identify the striking vehicle and the registered owner.

 

First Precinct officers located the parked vehicle and made contact with the owner within an hour of the collision. Latesha Coleman, 41, of Richmond, has been charged with felony hit and run. A booking photo is not yet available.

 

Anyone with further information is asked to call RPD Crash Team Detective K. Quinn at (804) 646-6190 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used.  All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Advisory: Victim Identified in Deforrest Street Homicide Investigation

 February 17, 2025

 

Victim Identified in Deforrest Street Homicide Investigation                                       

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in the homicide that occurred yesterday on Deforrest Street.

At approximately 6:43 a.m., officers were called to the 2100 block of Deforrest Street for the report of shooting. Officers arrived and located an adult male,  Detoine Melton, 27, of Richmond, down on the ground and unresponsive. He had suffered apparent gunshot wounds and 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 G. Sullivan at (804) 646-3929 or contact 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.

Arrest Made in Fatal Hit and Run on South 2nd Street

Arrest Made in Fatal Hit and Run on South 2^nd Street

 

The Richmond Police Department Crash Team made an arrest in the fatal hit and run that occurred on South 2^nd Street yesterday. Investigators are still seeking to positively identify the adult female pedestrian.

 

Yesterday at approximately 5:34 p.m., Fourth Precinct officers were called to the intersection of South 2^nd and East Cary streets for the report of a pedestrian stuck by a vehicle. Officers arrived and found the female down and unresponsive in the northbound lanes of South 2^nd Street. She was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The striking vehicle had left the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

 

The RPD Crash Team responded to investigate and determined the pedestrian was in the crosswalk, crossing 2^nd Street eastbound when she was struck by a vehicle making a left turn from East Cary Street.

 

Information from the scene was sent to analysts in the RPD Capital City Intelligence Center, who utilized video from traffic cameras and information from Flock Automatic License Plate Readers to identify the striking vehicle and the registered owner.

 

First Precinct officers located the parked vehicle and made contact with the owner within an hour of the collision. Latesha Coleman, 41, of Richmond, has been charged with felony hit and run. A booking photo is not yet available.

 

“This is an excellent example of good police work from Fourth and First precinct officers and Crash Team investigators, aided by CCIC and the narrow, sharp focus of Flock technology to produce a rapid arrest for this tragic collision,” said RPD Chief Rick Edwards. “The department is working several investigations of fatal collisions which are all advancing on their appropriate legal paths, but I am encouraged by the quick result this mix of police work and technology can produce.”

 

Anyone with further information is asked to call RPD Crash Team Detective K. Quinn at (804) 646-6190 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used.  All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Suspects Charged in 2025 Chamberlayne Avenue Homicide and Crash

Suspects Charged in 2025 Chamberlayne Avenue Homicide and Crash

Following an extensive investigation by the Richmond Police Department Street Crimes Unit, both suspects in the shooting and crash investigation on Chamberlayne Avenue in June of 2025 are now in custody.

On Wednesday, January 7, Arturo Friend, Jr., 24, of Richmond, surrendered at the Richmond Justice Center without incident.

On Thursday, January 29, the RPD Street Crimes Unit, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, arrested the second suspect, Keshawn Cunningham, 23, of Richmond, without incident.

They have both been charged with murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The booking photo of Cunningham is attached. The booking photo of Friend, Jr. is not yet available.

On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at approximately 1:38 a.m., officers were called to the 2300 block of Chamberlayne Avenue for the report of a crash with an injury. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Antonio Nixon, 45, of Richmond, the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle, who had collided his vehicle with a tree and structure after leaving the roadway northbound near West Graham Road. He was unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The RPD Crash Team responded to the scene to investigate. During the investigation, a bullet hole was located on the vehicle. The Major Crimes Division responded and determined Nixon had suffered an apparent gunshot wound.

Anyone with further information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P. Torres at (804) 646-3930 or contact 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.

 

 

Attempted Robbery and Shooting Investigation, RPD Encourages Use of Safe Exchange Zones

Attempted Robbery and Shooting Investigation, RPD Encourages Use of Safe Exchange Zones

Yesterday at approximately 6:18 p.m., officers were called to the 2100 block of Hull Street for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located an adult male who reported he was shot by an unknown male during an attempted robbery.

The male stated he met the subject to complete a transaction begun online. When the subject arrived he brandished a firearm, attempted to rob the victim and fired a shot, striking the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

At approximately 7 p.m., a juvenile male, 16, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, arrived at a local hospital. His injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

Detectives are investigating the possibility this individual may have been involved in the incident in the 2100 block of Hull Street.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective B. Bertsch at (804) 646-3874 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

Safe Exchange Zones

While conducting business with unknown persons, the Richmond Police Department advises the public to use Safe Exchange Zones, located at two police precincts. Safe Exchange Zones are well marked areas with a video camera recording 24 hours a day. While these cameras are not monitored live, should an incident occur, the video can be used to assist a detective’s investigation.

 

Safe Exchange Zones can be found here:

 

• Second Precinct – 177 E. Belt Boulevard

• Fourth Precinct – 2219 Chamberlayne Avenue

 

If you cannot locate a Safe Exchange Zone location, follow these safety tips:

 

• Meet at a well-lit, public location that you choose.

• Do not conduct exchanges at your home or at the unknown person’s home.

• Conduct exchanges during daylight hours.

• Avoid meeting strangers alone.

• Share your location with a trusted friend or family member.

• Trust your instincts, if something does not feel right, cancel the meeting.