Victim Identified, Person Charged with Reckless Handling of Firearm in Walmsley Boulevard Death Investigation

Victim Identified, Person Charged with Reckless Handling of Firearm in Walmsley Boulevard Death Investigation

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in the fatal shooting that occurred earlier this month on Walmsley Boulevard and have charged a person for reckless handling of a firearm in that incident.

On Saturday, July 11 at approximately 10:16 p.m., officers were called to the 3400 block of Walmsley Boulevard for the report of a person shot. Officers arrived and located an adult male, Lonray Banks, Jr., 21, of Richmond, down and unresponsive in the breezeway of an apartment building, He had suffered an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives on Friday located and arrested the suspect, Davon Rush, 20, of Richmond. He has been charged with reckless handling of a firearm. Additional charges are pending. His booking photo is attached.

During the recent RPD Mid-Year Crime Briefing, Chief Rick Edwards alerted the public to increasing incidents of injuries resulting from reckless handling of firearms and provided the public with tips to handle firearms more safely. The video of his comments is also attached.

Anyone with further information about this homicide investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective K. Hyde at (804) 646-3613 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.

Hit-and-Run Involving Bicyclist on Williamsburg Avenue

 

July 19, 2026

 

Hit-and-Run Involving Bicyclist on Williamsburg Avenue

The Richmond Police Department Crash Team is investigating a hit-and-run collision involving a bicyclist in the 4400 block of Walmsley Boulevard.

 

Last night, at approximately 9:57 p.m., officers responded to the 4400 block of Walmsley Boulevard for the report of a vehicle versus bicycle collision. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male down in a ditch. The victim had been riding his bicycle westbound on Walmsley Boulevard.

 

He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his life-threatening injuries. The vehicle fled the scene.

 

The Richmond Police Department Crash Team is continuing to investigate the incident.

 

Anyone with information regarding this hit-and-run collision 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.

Advisory: Person of Interest Apprehended in Connection to Aggravated Assault and Homicide Investigations

July 18, 2026

 

Person of Interest Apprehended in Connection to Aggravated Assault and Homicide Investigations

                              

                              

Early this morning at approximately 1:33 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of East Marshall Street for the report of a person stabbed. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male who was sleeping on a bench, suffering from a stab wound. He was transported to a local hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

 

RPD’s Capital City Intelligence Center (CCIC) assisted investigators in reviewing video and ALPR/Flock. 

 

Later this morning, at approximately 6:08 a.m., the Richmond Ambulance Authority responded to the report of a male bleeding in the 100 block of East Cary Street. Emergency personnel located a deceased adult male who had been sleeping in a parking deck who had suffered an apparent stab wound. RPD officers responded to the scene and initiated a homicide investigation. 

 

Given the circumstances, the two incidents were considered  possibly related.  With the information obtained by CCIC and investigators, a vehicle of interest and person of interest were developed.  

 

The Richmond Police Department was preparing to release this information during a planned press conference scheduled for 4 p.m. in the interest of public safety. However, the press conference was postponed after officers learned the suspect had been located.

 

At approximately 3:35 p.m., officers located the vehicle of interest and the subject near East 18th and Everett streets. Members of the U.S. Marshal’s Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force  approached the subject.  Upon doing so, a Task Force member was stabbed by the subject. That Task Force member discharged his weapon.

 

The suspect, an adult male, was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are considered critical, but he is in stable condition.

 

The Task Force Member was also transported to a local hospital with injuries that are considered critical, but he is in stable condition.

 

A second Task Force member was also injured during this incident, and he was transported to a local hospital with injuries not considered to be life threatening.

 

The Virginia State Police will lead the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.

No RPD officers were injured or discharged their weapon. 

 

This investigation is ongoing.

 

Anyone with further information about these incidents 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: Victim Identified in St. Peter Street Homicide Investigation

 

July 17, 2026           

 

Victim Identified in St. Peter Street Homicide Investigation

 

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in the fatal stabbing that occurred yesterday as James West, 63, of Richmond

 

Yesterday at approximately 9:48 p.m., officers were called to the 1300 block of St. Peter Street for the report of a person stabbed. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, West, down and unresponsive, suffering from apparent stab wounds. 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 B. Neifeld at (804) 646-3246 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: German School Road Death Investigation

   July 16, 2026           

German School Road Death Investigation

This morning at approximately 1:05 a.m., officers were called to the 1000 block of German School Road for the report of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, down and unresponsive, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Medical Examiner will determine the 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 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.

Chief Edwards to Hold Briefing to Discuss Mid-Year Crime Stats

 

Chief Edwards to Hold Briefing to Discuss Mid-Year Crime Stats

WHAT:           Public Safety Mid-Year Briefing to the Community   WHEN:           10 a.m., TOMORROW, Thursday, July 9, 2026   WHERE:         The briefing location is at RPD Headquarters, 200 W. Grace St.   Chief of Police Rick Edwards will address statistics from crimes that occurred in the first half of 2026 that impacted the public, department operations and current topics of interest.   BACKGROUND:     This crime briefing will inform the community of successful efforts at lowering crime trends, provide an update on Operation Safe Summer, a multi-jurisdictional operation, provide other updates, and offer opportunities for members of the public to engage in upcoming community events to participate in a joint effort to reduce crime.   Media is invited to attend.

Advisory: Victim Identified in Bethel Street Death Investigation, Aggravated Assault Shooting Incident

 

Victim Identified in Bethel Street Death Investigation, Aggravated Assault Shooting Incident

 

Richmond Police detectives have identified the victim in yesterday’s fatal shooting as Qvanta Johnson, 23, of Richmond.

 

At approximately 11:32 p.m. on July 5, officers responded to a report of a shooting at a large party located in the 2300 block of Bethel Street. Upon arrival, officers located two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One victim, Johnson, was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim was also transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

 

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

 

This investigation is ongoing.

 

Anyone with information about this death 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.