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Richmond City employee shot in trash collection truck in Shockoe Bottom

Crystal Graham
Shockoe police officer crime tape at crime scene
(© fergregory – stock.adobe.com)

A Richmond Public Works employee in a trash collection truck was shot this morning when a gunfight broke out in Shockoe Bottom.

The man was transported to a local hospital with an apparent gunshot wound that was not considered life threatening. His name was not released.

According to the Richmond Police Department, the investigation found that an altercation took place in front of a business on North 18th Street at approximately 1:36 a.m.

Someone involved in the altercation allegedly shot at a departing vehicle. The trash collection truck was in the vicinity of the departing vehicle when the employee was shot.

“I was so saddened to hear about a City of Richmond Department of Public Works employee who was wounded while doing his job,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Guns are taking a serious toll on people, and it’s not okay.”

Detectives with the Major Crimes Division responded to investigate.

“This is heartbreaking and is exactly why I am elevating this issue through my newly established Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Every Richmonder deserves to feel safe, whether you’re out with friends or out collecting trash at 1:30 in the morning,” said Avula.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Major Crimes Detective W. Hartley at (804) 646-4314 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.

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