Richmond, VA — Authorities are actively searching for a suspect who shot an Urban Park Ranger on Belle Isle in Richmond on Sunday, January 19, 2025. The shooting occurred in the early afternoon, prompting a large law enforcement response and a continued search of the island.
According to Richmond Police, officers received a call at 1:42 p.m. reporting that a person had been shot. When they arrived at the scene, they found the injured park ranger, who had been interacting with a man in a wooded area of the park. During their conversation, the ranger reportedly offered the man services for shelter. In response, the suspect produced a firearm and shot the ranger in the chest.
Fortunately, the ranger was wearing a bulletproof vest, which likely minimized the severity of his injuries. He sustained only minor injuries and was able to speak with investigators before being transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Police have released a description of the suspect, who is described as a Black male in his late 30s. The man is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a short patchy beard and short, unkempt hair. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a black winter coat and visibly dirty clothing.
In the wake of the shooting, Richmond Police have set up a command post and deployed SWAT officers to search Belle Isle. Bloodhounds and other canines have also been brought in to assist in locating the suspect, who remains at large. Authorities are urging the public to avoid the area while the search continues.
Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts to contact 911 immediately. As the investigation progresses, law enforcement officials are working diligently to apprehend the individual responsible for the shooting.
