Suspect Arrested in Coalter Street Officer-Involved Shooting

January 5, 2021

The Richmond Police Department is continuing to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on New Year’s Eve in the 1300 block of Coalter Street.

The suspect has been identified as Orlando J. Carter Jr.

Carter Jr. has been charged with possession of a firearm while being a convicted felon, felony attempt to elude police, reckless driving, and additional driving related offenses. His booking photo is attached.

At approximately 5:05 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020, two officers attempted to stop a vehicle at the intersection of N. 20^th Street and Fairmount Avenue

The vehicle failed to stop and was pursued to the 1300 block of Coalter Street where the vehicle crashed.

Orlando Carter Jr., the sole occupant of the vehicle exited the car with a firearm, attempted to flee and pointed a firearm at Officer Ja-Ontay Wilson. Officer Wilson discharged his service weapon, striking Carter Jr. Responding officers called for EMS and began rendering medical assistance. Carter Jr. was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Carter Jr.’s firearm was recovered at the scene.

Officer Ja-Ontay Wilson is a three year veteran of the Richmond Police Department. He has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues.

The incident is being investigated by the Officer Involved Investigation Team.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Det. B. Thompson at 804-646-3925 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.

Information Sought in New Year’s Day Shooting

Richmond Police detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing information about a shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day in the Swansboro neighborhood.

 

At approximately 3:49 a.m., officers were called to the 00 block of East 19^th Street for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located an adult female who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital with an injury that was considered life threatening.

 

Detectives are asking for anyone with knowledge of the incident or who saw suspicious activity in that area, which is between Hull and Decatur streets, in the early hours of Friday, January 1, to contact detectives.

 

Anyone with information is asked to call Major Crimes Detective S. Donald at (804) 646-6456 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous. 

Victim Identified in Jefferson Davis Highway Homicide

January 3, 2021

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Thursday’s homicide on Jefferson Davis Highway as Eusebio Calderon, a male in his sixties.

At approximately 4:40 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, officers responded to the 2900 block of Jefferson Davis Highway for the report of a person shot. Once on scene, they found Eusebio Calderon suffering life threatening injuries from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

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

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Det. G. Bailey at 804-646-6743 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. Both Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Coalter Street Officer Involved Shooting

December 31, 2020

At approximately 5:05 p.m. today, two officers attempted to stop a vehicle at the intersection of N. 20^th Street and Fairmount Avenue.

The vehicle failed to stop and was pursued to the 1300 block of Coalter Street where the vehicle crashed.

The suspect and sole occupant of the vehicle exited the car with a firearm, attempted to flee and pointed a firearm at one of the officers. The officer fired his service weapon, striking the suspect. Responding officers called for EMS and began rendering medical assistance. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect’s firearm was recovered at the scene. A photo of the firearm after it was rendered safe by officers is pictured below and attached.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Officer Involved Investigation Team.

The Chief of Police, Command Staff, First Precinct leadership, Major Crimes Division detectives, and forensics all responded to the scene.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Det. B. Thompson at 804-646-3925 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. 

Jefferson Davis Highway Homicide

December 31, 2020

At approximately 4:40 a.m. today, officers responded to the 2900 block of Jefferson Davis Highway for the report of a person shot. Once on scene, they found an adult male suffering life threatening injuries from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

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

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Det. G. Bailey at 804-646-6743 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. Both Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

Do Not Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Gunfire

December 30, 2020

Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the Richmond Police Department is warning the public about the dangers of random gunfire, also known as celebratory shootings.

Randomly firing a gun is illegal, dangerous, and can be deadly – as seen during New Year’s celebrations in the city last year.

At approximately 12:13 a.m. on January 1, 2020, RPD officers responded to the 2500 block of North Avenue for the report of a shooting. La-tiyah S. Hood, 28, had been shot and was transported by private vehicle to a local hospital, where she died. Detectives have determined her death was the result of celebratory gunfire.

Hood’s mother, Stephanie Brandon, has provided the attached photos of her and the following statement, in hopes of preventing a tragedy like this from happening again:

“The promise of a new year changed my life forever. A celebration cheated 2 sons from their mom, 10 siblings of their sister, 4 nieces of their auntie, a grieving mother of her beloved daughter.

The family birthdays, holidays, family celebrations will be less our love because of another's careless mistake. This mom will miss her sons’ weddings, children born, graduations.

Happy New Year 2021, please bring our family joy and peace of the thought of lessons learned from this tragedy.\

We love and miss you Ta Ta. Rest in Heaven. RIH”

Mateen B. Johnson, 26, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the incident.

RPD is also asking citizens to call 911, if they have information on individuals who plan to behave in this illegal and reckless way or if they hear shots fired. Officers will be responding to calls of random gunfire and working to identify offenders and make arrests.

There will be availability for media interviews on this today at 1 p.m. outside RPD’s First Precinct (2501 Q Street). Please RSVP with RPD Public Affairs in advance.

Restaurant Burgled Twice, Suspect Sought

December 30, 2020

Richmond Police detectives are asking for the public’s help to identify the individual in the attached photos who broke into a restaurant twice just days apart.

At approximately 12:58 a.m., Friday, December 25, and again just after midnight on Monday morning, December 28, the male in the photos forced his way inside of a restaurant in the 2700 block of Chamberlayne Avenue. He then stole cash from the establishment.

The first two images show the suspect in the Friday morning incident and the third photo shows the suspect in a distinctive knit cap on Monday morning.

Anyone with information about the identity of this suspect is asked to call Fourth Precinct Lieutenant B. Prendergast at (804) 646-4195 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.