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.

Driver in Hit-and-Run Involving Bicyclist on Williamsburg Avenue Surrenders

The driver involved in the hit and run collision of a bicyclist on Williamsburg Avenue on Sunday surrendered today without incident.

Jorge Gudino Vasquez, 24, of Henrico County, has been charged with felony hit and run and operating a motor vehicle without a license. His booking photo is attached.

At approximately 1:05 a.m. on July 19, officers were called to a collision in the 5100 block of Williamsburg Avenue. Officers arrived and found an adult male bicyclist lying in the travel lane of the roadway. He had suffered an injury from being struck by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle did not remain on scene. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were considered life threatening.

The Richmond Police Department's Crash Team responded and began the investigation. Investigators used data from Flock automatic license plate readers and information from the public to locate the vehicle, which was seized yesterday.

Anyone with further information regarding this collision is asked to call Crash Team Investigator R. Jamison at (804) 646-1665 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones.

 

UPDATE: Driver Charged in Hit-and-Run Crash Involving Bicyclist on Walmsley Boulevard

 July 20, 2026

 

UPDATE: Driver Charged in Hit-and-Run Crash Involving Bicyclist on Walmsley Boulevard

 

The Richmond Police Department's Crash Team has charged a driver in connection with a hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist that occurred last Thursday night.

 

Last Thursday, at approximately 9:57 p.m., officers responded to the 4400 block of Walmsley Boulevard for a report of a vehicle-versus-bicycle crash. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male bicyclist lying in a nearby ditch. He was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

 

As a result of the Crash Team's investigation, which included information received through Crime Stoppers and detectives' investigative efforts, Dominique Smith, 36, of Richmond, turned herself in to police on Monday morning.

 

Smith has been charged with:

·         Felony hit and run

·         Driving on a suspended operator's license

·         No insurance

·         Expired vehicle registration

 

The Crash Team's investigation remains ongoing.

 

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact Crash Team Investigator D. Peppel at (804) 201-1757 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones