RICHMOND, Va. — A sense of grief and urgency continues to grip the Richmond community after a 17-year-old girl from North Chesterfield was found fatally shot Thursday night at Ancarrow’s Landing. The teen was discovered unresponsive just after 10 p.m. in a wooded area near Brander Street and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Richmond Police Department.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity, citing an ongoing investigation and the sensitivity of the case. The incident marks the ninth reported shooting of a child in the city so far in 2025, a number that has heightened concern among residents and city officials alike.
“It makes you think like, ‘What really happened? What was the story?’” said Virginia Commonwealth University student Ashley Romero, who was walking her dog at a nearby park. “Why was she even here alone, if that was the case?”
Police say the girl’s death is connected to what they described as a “suspicious situation” that took place the day before at a parking deck on West Broad Street. However, investigators have declined to release additional details about that incident or its link to the homicide.
The community response has been one of heartbreak and growing frustration, with many residents calling for more urgent action to address escalating youth violence in the city.
“Especially the youth—they should be able to not have to worry about any of that kind of stuff,” Romero added.
City leaders, who were already grappling with rising gun violence, acknowledged the tragic timing of the incident. Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula, speaking at a crime briefing earlier in the day Thursday, announced the development of a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The initiative, still in its planning phase, is expected to focus on strategies to reduce shootings among young people.
“We have just had this spate of violence in our community, and specifically gun violence,” Mayor Avula said. “While no person being shot in our city is acceptable, it’s even worse when it’s a child.”
Police Chief Rick Edwards echoed those sentiments at the same briefing, where he presented new data showing a disturbing uptick in juvenile-involved shootings across the city.
The fatal shooting has also prompted questions about whether the victim’s death is connected to a missing persons case recently reported in Chesterfield County. Both Richmond and Chesterfield police departments have declined to confirm any such link at this time.
As the investigation continues, the Richmond community is left searching for answers—and solutions.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Richmond Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
