Victim Identified in Hull Street Homicide on GRTC Bus

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in Tuesday’s homicide on-board a GRTC bus on Hull Street as, 22-year-old Jonathan Contreras of Richmond.

At approximately 11:03 p.m., yesterday, November 9, Richmond Police responded to the 4000 block of Hull Street for the report of a shooting on-board a GRTC bus. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Contreras, with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Detectives have determined this was not a random incident.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P. Ripley at (804) 646-0423 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.

Hull Street Death Investigation

Last night at approximately 11:03 p.m., Richmond Police responded to the 4000 block of Hull Street for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound onboard a GRTC bus. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this death investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective P. Ripley at (804) 646-0423 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.

Street Closures Announced in Preparation for Richmond Marathon

Know the closures, plan your route for safety.

In preparation of the Richmond Marathon on Saturday, November 13, multiple roads and thoroughfares will be closed and several no parking areas will be in effect starting 8 a.m., Thursday, November 11.

Some closures will remain in effect until 5 p.m., Saturday, November 13. Roads may be re-opened sooner depending on circumstances.

Illegally parked vehicles throughout the course will be towed starting at 9 p.m., Friday to ensure the race course is clear and safe for all participants.

Drivers need to be patient and on the lookout for runners along the routes.

The following streets will be closed or modified during the designated times:

Thursday / November 11th

• N. 6th Street between E. Broad & Grace Street (8:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Friday / November 12th

• N. 6th Street between E. Broad and Grace Street (Friday 9:00 AM. - Saturday November 13th 12:00 PM.)
• Tredegar Street between S. 7th Street and Brown’s Island / 2nd Street Connector (Friday 10:00 AM. – Saturday November 13th 7:00 PM.)
• S. 5th Street between Bragg & Tredegar Street (Friday 10:00 AM-

Saturday November 13th

• S. 5th Street between Byrd & Bragg Street (Friday 5:00 PM –Saturday November 13th 6:00 PM.)

Saturday / November 13th

• Tredegar Street between Dominion Resources and Brown’s Island Way/2nd Street Connector (3:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
• Broad Street between Arthur Ashe Boulevard and N.10th Street (4:00 AM-10:00 AM)
• Hermitage Road (Northbound) between N. Laburnum and Pope Ave (4:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• N. Mulberry St. between W. Broad and Grace Street (4:00 AM-10:00 AM)
• N. 3rd Street between E. Broad and Main Street (4:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
• Cowardin Ave (One/Southbound Lane) between Semmes Ave and Lee Bridge (4:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
• Longview Dr. between Scottview and Wallowa Drive (4:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• Huguenot Rd. between Huguenot Bridge and Cherokee Rd. (4:00 AM-11:00 AM)
• Windsorview Dr. between Wallowa Road and Forest Hill Ave. (4:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• Riverside Dr. between Huguenot Bridge and Scottview Dr. (4:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• River/Cary St. Rd. between Maple/Libbie Ave and Three Chopt Rd. (4:00 AM-10:00 AM)
• Lee Bridge (2 /Southbound Lanes) between Belvidere and Cowardin Ave. (4:00 AM-1:00 PM)
• Brook Rd. (Southbound Side) between Fauquier Ave and N. Lombardy St. (4:00 AM-3:00 PM)
• Fauquier Ave (North/Southbound Sides) between Crestwood Rd. and Brook Road (4:00 AM-11:00 AM)
•  Westmoreland Street between Monument Ave and Grove Ave (4:00 AM -10:00 AM)
• Forest Hill Ave (Westbound Side) between Windsorview Dr. and Semmes Ave (4:00 AM- 1:00 PM)
• Pope Ave between Hermitage Rd. and Crestwood Rd. (4:00 AM-2:00 PM)
• Scottview Dr. between Riverside Dr. and Longview Dr. (4:00 AM-12:00 PM)
• Belvidere (1 / Southbound Lane) between Lee Bridge and W. Main Street (4:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
• Wallowa Rd. between Longview Dr. and Windsorview Dr. (4:00 AM- 12:00 PM)
• Grove Ave (Westbound Side) Westmoreland Ave and Maple St. (4:00 AM-10:00 AM)
• Monument Ave (Westbound Side) between N. Mulberry Ave and Chantilly St. (4:00 AM-10:00 AM)
• Semmes Ave (Westbound Side) between Cowardin Ave and Forest Hill Ave/Roanoke Ave. (4:00 AM-1:00 PM)
• Bellevue Ave between Hermitage Rd. and Bryan Park (4:00 AM-11:00 AM)
• N. Lombardy St. between Brook Rd. and W. Grace Street       (4:00 AM-3:00 PM)
• Brookland Parkway (Both Sides) between Hermitage Rd. and Loxley Rd. (4:00 AM-11:00 AM)
• E. Franklin St. between N. 2nd and N. 6th St. (4:00 AM-3:00 PM)
• Grace Street between N. Allen Ave and N. 4th St. (4:00 AM-3:00 PM)
• W. Grace St. between Arthur Ashe Boulevard and N. Allen Ave (4:00 AM-9:00 AM)
• W. Main St. between Belvidere and Arthur Ashe Boulevard (4:00 AM-2:00 PM)
• 5th Street between E. Grace and Byrd Street (4:00 AM-5:00 PM.)
• Arthur Ashe Boulevard (Northbound Side) between W. Cary St. and Hermitage Rd. (4:00 AM-3:00 PM)
•  Arthur Ashe Boulevard (Southbound Side) between W. Broad St. and Monument Ave (4:00 AM-9:00 AM)
• Crestwood Rd. between Pope Ave and Fauquier Ave (4:00 AM-11:00 AM)
• Maple Ave between Grove Ave and River/Cary St. Rd. (4:00 AM-10:00 AM)

In the planning and coordination of the Richmond Marathon, the Richmond Police Department continues to coordinate with race organizers and partner agencies to assist in the safety of community members.

Information is subject to change. Please follow RPD on Twitter at @RichmondPolice.

All races map:

Marathon course map:

Chief Gerald Smith Draws Public Attention to Preventing Sudden Death in Children

Media Availability: Educate the Public on Co-sleeping and Dangers of Prescription and Illicit Drugs Surrounding Children

Who:   Chief Gerald Smith brings attention to preventing child deaths in Richmond in collaboration with VCU Medical Center in response to a series of child deaths related to co-sleeping and ingestion of illegal drugs.

• Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith
• Youth and Family Crimes Sergeant
• Dr. Patrick McLaughlin, VCU Medical Center, Pediatric Emergency  Medicine

What:  VCU Medical expert, RPD Youth and Family Crimes Unit, and Chief of Police discuss the recent rise in sudden unexplained child deaths in our community.

Co-sleeping is defined and demystified with safety recommendations offered as well as increasing awareness around for parents to maintain infant and child safety in our community.

When: 1 p.m., Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Comments followed by Q &A

Where: Park365  (outdoors on the playground)
3600 Saunders Avenue
Richmond, VA  23227

Why:   Raise public awareness around the issue of sudden death in children and preventable methods available to parents including an understanding of co-sleeping, and the dangers of prescription and illegal drug use in families.

Stats:

• Between 1999 and 2016, the use of prescription and illicit opioids caused the deaths of approximately 9,000 American children. (Analysis CDC Mortality data, JAMA Network Open)
• 3,500 sleep-related deaths among U.S. babies each year, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation, and deaths from unknown causes (CDC.gov)
• According to the latest data from CDC, 28 states, including Virginia had more than a 30 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020 compared to 2019, including 10 that increased by more than 40 percent. (CDC Vital Statistics Rapid Release)

Richmond Police Department Promotes Eleven Officers Within Its Ranks

The Richmond Police Department is pleased to announce the promotions of eleven sworn staff to new ranks and will recognize and celebrate them during a promotional ceremony 10 a.m. today, November 5, at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

Chief Gerald M. Smith is proud to recognize the achievements of the officers who will now take on new responsibilities and leadership roles within the department.

“These officers are highly dedicated and have demonstrated unique abilities to lead during an unprecedented time in our history,” Chief Gerald Smith said. “They each bring the ability to problem solve and to foster relationships both inside and outside the department. It is a privilege to serve with these fine individuals who are committed to keeping Richmond safe.”

The public and members of the media are invited to attend.

Promotions within the department include:

Major R. Armstead

Captain K. Manns

Captain K. Mooney

Lieutenant J. Hogan

Lieutenant A. McRae

Lieutenant S. Waite

Sergeant M. Cunningham

Sergeant A. Guevara

Sergeant K. Harris

Sergeant R. Langston

Sergeant J. Perez

Suspect Sought in Commercial Robbery on Forest Hill Avenue

At approximately 5:30 a.m. early Sunday morning, October 31 Richmond Police responded to the 4800 block of Forest Hill Avenue for the report of a commercial robbery. The suspect entered the open business and demanded money from the register. The suspect then fled on foot.

The suspect was described to be: black male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches, last seen wearing a teal (greenish) jacket with matching pants, he also had distinctive blonde highlights in his hair. The suspect was captured on video surveillance and his photos are attached.

Anyone with information about the identity of this suspect is asked to call Third Precinct Detective M. Sacksteder at (804) 646-1068 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 Westover Hills Boulevard Homicide, Victim Identified

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in the homicide that occurred on Sunday, October 24, on Westover Hills Boulevard as Dylan Poonsammy, 24, of Powhatan.

Daquan Dixon, 26, of Richmond was arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. Additional charges are pending. His booking photo is attached.

At approximately 10:24 p.m., Richmond Police responded to the 400 block of Westover Hills Boulevard for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located Poonsammy with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Major Crimes Detective A. Coates at (804) 646-0729 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.