RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond police are actively searching for a suspect involved in a shooting at Belle Isle on Sunday afternoon that left a park ranger injured. The incident occurred around 1:42 p.m. when officers received reports of a shooting at the popular park.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement discovered an Urban Park Ranger who had been shot in the chest during an encounter with a man in the park. The ranger reported that he had offered the suspect shelter before being shot. Fortunately, the ranger was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of the attack, which prevented serious injury. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment but was expected to recover from the minor injuries.
Following the shooting, officers quickly secured the area and began searching for the suspect. They conducted interviews with witnesses and attempted to identify a crime scene. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation was underway to preserve the integrity of the scene.
Around 4:30 p.m., a social media post was made advising the public to stay away from Belle Isle due to the ongoing police activity. By 5:45 p.m., Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards confirmed that a search was in progress, and he reiterated the importance of keeping the area clear for an effective investigation.
The suspect is described as a 5’11” Black man in his late 30s with a short, patchy beard and unkempt hair. He was wearing a black winter coat and appeared to be in need of clean clothing. Police believe he may still be in the Belle Isle area and are urging anyone with information to contact 911.
At the time of the shooting, the weather was cold, and there were few people in the park. Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspect.
