RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond police are investigating a homicide in the Randolph area, after a neighbor walking his dog discovered a body Saturday morning.
Police say a little before 10 a.m., a man was walking his dog in the neighborhood, when he discovered a body lying by a house. Officials responded to the 1700 block of Dakota Avenue. The adult male was pronounced dead at the scene.
“{The} individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the head,” said Chief Alfred Durham with the Richmond Police Department.
Durham says police received several calls Friday night for reports of gunshots in the area.
“Officers responded but did not find anything,” he said.
Patrick Mahan says he heard the gunshots close to his home.
“It was a kind of scary experience laying on the ground hoping a bullet didn’t come flying through the house randomly,” said Mahan.
Residents say the neighborhood near Mt. Calvary Cemetery is usually safe and peaceful. This killing now marks the 23rd homicide in the city this year.
“Unfortunately that’s 23 too many. We have to get serious about this gun violence in the city,” said Chief Durham.
The police chief stressed the need for community members to reach out to police. If you see or hear something suspicious, or know something violent is about to happen, call an officer.
“I get tired of responding to these types of scenes where you have a loss of life. Families being destroyed, and even the individuals that end up arrested, their families end up getting destroyed for committing these offenses,” said Chief Durham.
Police do not have any suspects at this time and are asking the public’s help.
If you have information about this crime call CRIME STOPPERS AT 780-1000. You can also text your information to CRIMES, 274637, using the keyword “itip” followed by your tip, or you can send us your tip on line at 780-1000.com. All three methods will keep you anonymous.
You do not have to give your name or testify in court, you will be given a code number to protect your identity and your information, if of value to police could be worth up to $1000 cash reward,
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