Documents and Incidents Tagged "Richmond Police"

Documents

Incidents

    Incident VSPN-v-City-of-Richmond-et-al

    Date Jun 26, 2020
    Time 12:00 PM
    Report # VSPN-v-City-of-Richmond-et-al
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Gary T. Settle
    Description

    A lawsuit was filed against the Richmond Police then-Chief and the Virginia State Police Superintendent for its treatment of racial justice protesters during the summer of 2020.

    Address Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Lawsuit  | Settlement  | Virginia State Police  | Less-Lethal Weapons  | Virginia Eastern District Court  | Police Protest Violence  | Marcus-David Peters Circle  | Virginia Student Power Network  | Mayor Levar Stoney  |
     

    Incident Richmond-Police-Traffic-Stop-Shooting-March06-2025

    Date Mar 06, 2025
    Report # Richmond-Police-Traffic-Stop-Shooting-March06-2025
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Description

    Richmond Police officers shot a man during a traffic stop on March 6, 2025. They said he "failed to comply."

    Address 2600 Melbourne Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Virginia  | Police Shootings  | Richmond  | Traffic Stop  |
     

    Incident Misc-Gas-Attacks-at-MDPC

    Date Jun 26, 2020
    Time 08:30 PM
    Report # Misc-Gas-Attacks-at-MDPC
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Description
    Address 1700 Monument Avenue near North Allen Avenue
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Virginia State Police  | Less-Lethal Weapons  | Police Protest Violence  | Video  | Marcus-David Peters Circle  | Mayor Levar Stoney  |
     

    Incident Richmond-Police-Shoot-Tamar-Xavier-Harris

    Date Jan 02, 2015
    Report # Richmond-Police-Shoot-Tamar-Xavier-Harris
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers William Turner , Marley A. Williams
    Description

    Tamar was 20 years old when someone called the police and got him shot. We don't know exactly what happened, but here's what police said.

    According to the police narrative, the Richmond Police received a call that someone was experiencing what is categorized as a mental health crisis.

    Operating on this knowledge, the kid, if actively within the onset of a psychiatric episode, could be assumed to have been vulnerable and incapacitated by his current suffering, as episodes can be genuinely agonizing for those experiencing them. If they do not cause the person experiencing them pain in that moment, they do render that person impaired.

    Tamar was probably experiencing something deeply traumatic, terrifying, and personal. He was not in a good place, but he was at his house.

    Then the Richmond Police showed up at his door wearing badges and guns, demanding to see him, saying they'd gotten a call. Tamar must have been terrified, but we don't know, because the two police officers forced their way inside his home and when Tamar feared for his life, it was said that he shot his gun.

    Adult police officers entered his home with the presumed knowledge that he was vulnerable and experiencing an acute event. The police officers knew they were not there to investigate a crime, and they were free.to leave. They did not bring care, compassion, and peace to his neighborhood that night. They escalated it and they shot the person who needed "their" help. They did not fear for the kid's safety.

    Instead, they shot him. They said they got scared.

    A barrage of negative news stories slandering Tamar and lauding the bravery of William Turner, the Richmond Police officer who shot Tamar and also got shot, ensued for months, then recycled for years as if Officer William Turner had done a heroic deed. A vigil was even held for Officer Turner's injury.

    "The suspect was also shot," the Richmond Police wrote. We don't know anything more than that nor what the episode actually looked like.

    Officer William Turner received commendations and 20-year-old Tamar Xavier Harris, who had no previous criminal record that is public, received four felony charges. Two of these were filed with the lower court and were not prosecuted.

    A grand jury convened without Tamar present, as the law does not allow for the accused to appear, an attorney for the accused to appear, or evidence to be brought before the grand jury that might contradict that which the prosecutor brings before the grand jury. The grand jury then decides if Tamar should be prosecuted for the charges brought by the prosecutor, and he was. Tamar Harris was sentenced to 35 years in prison with 12 suspended. Upon release, he will be on "Indefinite Supervision" for the rest of his life.

    Tamar is in Sussex State Prison. His inmate number is 1694392 (https://www.jpay.com/FirstTime.aspx?Search=1694392&State=VA).

    Address Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Central Virginia  | Police Shootings  | Victim(s) Survived  | Home Invasion  | City of Richmond  | Mental Health Crisis  | William Turner  | Officer William Turner  | Victim(s) Punished  | Officer Commended  | Tamar Xavier Harris  |
     

    Incident Unlawful-Arrest-By-Digirolamo

    Date Jul 26, 2020
    Time 07:00 PM
    Report # Unlawful-Arrest-By-Digirolamo
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Patrick Joseph Digirolamo
    Description
    Address 620 block West Main Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Protest Violence  | Video  | Patrick Digirolamo  | Wandering Cops  | Attacks on the Press  |
     

    Incident Acevado-Assaulted

    Date Jul 25, 2020
    Time 09:00 PM
    Report # Acevado-Assaulted
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Description
    Address West Grace Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | First Amendment  | Police Protest Violence  | Video  | Filming the Police  | Attacks on the Press  | Commonwealth Times  |
     

    Incident Killing-of-Verlon-Johnson

    Date May 17, 2002
    Time 12:00 PM
    Report # Killing-of-Verlon-Johnson
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers William James Burnett , Esche'n D. Tunstall
    Description

    29-year-old Verlon Johnson was shot to death unarmed on his front porch.

    "On May 17, 2002, Detective Melvin led a team of eight other police officers to Verlon Johnson's South Side home to arrest him. Mr. Johnson came out of his house as ordered, his hands in the air. Detective Melvin testified that he saw the self-employed landscaper suddenly drop his right hand. The detective fired. Verlon Johnson fell backward onto his porch, his hands upraised and coming to rest by the sides of his head.

    No gun was found. Further, Rosa Johnson, Mr. Johnson's wife, testified that her husband was left-handed. The Johnsons had five children, four of whom were in the house with their mother when their father was killed."

    Twenty-nine-year-old father of five Verlon Johnson was shot to death while unarmed on his front porch in South Side as a nine-member police team attempted to arrest him on robbery and firearms charges.

    No gun was found on or near Johnson. Detective David Melvin, the only officer at the scene to pull his gun, was charged with involuntary manslaughter.

    Following two mistrials, he was acquitted at the third trial. The City settled out of court with Johnson’s widow for an undisclosed amount.

    Address Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Lawsuit  | Wandering Cops  | Killing  | Verlon Johnson  |
     

    Incident Shooting of Kenneth Sharp

    Date Mar 31, 2024
    Time 04:58 AM
    Report # Shooting of Kenneth Sharp
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Todd Wesley Hall
    Description

    Police responded to a call on the 1900 block of Cedar St. for "a disturbance with an armed person" by shooting and killing 20-year-old Kenneth Sharp, who had been asleep in his car prior to the attack by police. The perpetrator was Todd Wesley Hall, a white officer. He was not criminally charged.

    Address 1900-BLK Cedar Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Killing  |
     

    Incident Police-Riot-6-15

    Date Jun 15, 2020
    Time 09:00 PM
    Report # Police-Riot-6-15
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Brenda Milena Ruiz , William Brereton , Akeem Jones , Jon Wills Bridges , Kelly Morley
    Description

    See video.

    Address 200 West Grace Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Protest Violence  | Brenda Ruiz  | Video  |
     

    Incident Yoon-Onoratti-Holley

    Date Jun 05, 2022
    Time 04:00 PM
    Report # Yoon-Onoratti-Holley
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Shannon Elizabeth Onorati , Samuel Sungwon Yoon
    Description

    Oliver Holley was accused of assaulting Officer Onoratti, but body camera footage seems to indicate it was actually the other way around.

    Address Broad St near Adams St
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Samuel Yoon  | Assault  | Bodycam Video  |
     

    Incident Weakley-v-City-of-Richmond-et-al

    Date Jun 21, 2022
    Report # Weakley-v-City-of-Richmond-et-al
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Benjamin James Frazer , Anthony Joseph Bradt Jr
    Description
    Address Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Lawsuit  | Settlement  | Virginia State Police  | Less-Lethal Weapons  | Virginia Eastern District Court  | Police Protest Violence  | Benjamin Frazer  | Anthony Bradt  |
     

    Incident Police-Riot-6-14

    Date Jun 14, 2020
    Time 10:00 PM
    Report # Police-Riot-6-14
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Jon Wills Bridges , Kelly Morley , Akeem Jones , Brenda Milena Ruiz
    Description

    See video.

    Address 200 West Grace Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Protest Violence  | Brenda Ruiz  | Video  |
     

    Incident Frazer-Assaults-Legal-Observer

    Date Jun 26, 2020
    Time 10:00 PM
    Report # Frazer-Assaults-Legal-Observer
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Benjamin James Frazer
    Description

    Benjamin Frazer and others assault, tie up legal observer Charlie Schmidt when he attempts to take their photo.


    "Schmidt drove away from Lee Circle via Monument Avenue, then proceeded west on to Broad Street, eventually ending up at the corner of Hermitage Road and West Leigh Street.

    It was there that Schmidt noticed several Richmond Police cars inside the recently renovated Saur's shopping business center. He turned right on Hermitage, then turned right again into the back entrance to the parking lot, parking in the back north/west corner.

    A large faction of Richmond Police was in the front of the parking lot, closer to Whole Foods and Broad Street.

    Schmidt estimates that 45-50 Richmond Police officers were present and upon information and belief, the area was being used by them as

    staging for some other action offsite or event.

    Schmidt sat in his car observing from a distance of several dozen yards for a few minutes when an unknown Richmond Police officer crossed the entire length of the Whole Foods Parking to the separate Rear Parking Lot where Schmidt was parked. He asked Schmidt if he was

    okay, to which Schmidt responded yes. The officer walked back to his police car in the Whole Foods Parking Lot.

    A second officer, Benjamin Frazer (“Frazer”), approached Schmidt’s car with the same question, to which Schmidt again responded “'yes, I'm fine.'

    Frazer then advised Schmidt that he needed to leave the Rear Parking Lot because Richmond Police had been asked to enforce security for a private business Whole Foods, which was not true.

    Schmidt questioned Frazer’s authority to enforce such an order, given that the Rear Parking Lot appeared to be public space and another car was parked in the same lot. There were no “No Parking” or “No Trespass” signs in the Rear Parking Lot nor were there any signs indicating the Rear Parking Lot was closed at night.

    Schmidt asked Frazer if anyone could verify that the Rear Parking Lot was closed or that he was legally required to leave the premises.

    In response to Schmidt’s questioning the authority of Richmond Police to demand he leave the Rear Parking Lot; Frazer unnecessarily escalated the situation.

    Despite Schmidt identifying himself as an attorney and trained legal observer, Frazer again demanded that Schmidt leave because (he described) Richmond Police Department had had people 'doxing' them and causing 'problems.'

    By this point, Schmidt’s car was surrounded by approximately 6-8 Richmond Police officers; one in front of his car and several others behind and on either side. Schmidt was unable to leave the Rear Parking Lot as his car was surrounded by officers.

    Schmidt then asked Frazer his name, who refused, in violation of Richmond Police Department's own policy. Frazer merely repeated that Schmidt needed to leave.

    Schmidt asked a second officer standing nearby for his name and was told 'I'm not allowed to give out that information,' again in violation of Department policy. Schmidt advised that he needed someone's name in order to follow up with Richmond Police. None of the officers would identify themselves.

    Schmidt then advised Frazer and the other Richmond Police officers that he would leave and put his car into 'drive.' As he was leaving, Schmidt reached for his smart phone, held it up for the officers to see, and advised he was going to snap a quick picture of the scene before he left.

    Frazer's knee-jerk reaction to Schmidt's attempt take a picture was to reach through Schmidt's window while he was driving. Frazer advised Schmidt that he was under arrest and that he needed to get out of the car. Frazer and another RPD officer opened Schmidt's car door to forcibly yank him from his car. Schmidt advised that his car was in 'drive' and that he needed to put it in 'park.'

    By this point, several Richmond Police officers were unnecessarily screaming at Schmidt. Frazer advised Schmidt that was he going to jail and began to process him for arrest.

    Richmond Police officers thereafter zip-tied Schmidt's hands incredibly tight and detained him while Frazer began to write up the paperwork.

    Schmidt again calmly advised the unknown Richmond Police officers that he was a lawyer and there were no grounds to arrest him, quoting the applicable Virginia code sections on criminal procedure (Virginia Code § 19.2-74), which states essentially that an officer shall release someone accused of a misdemeanor on summons, rather than arrest, unless the officer can determine that person is a flight risk, danger to themselves or others, or will not stop doing the offending action.

    A few minutes later, a higher-ranking Richmond Police officer, or unknown

    Supervisor Doe, drove over to where Schmidt was being detained and spoke with Frazer. After this, Frazer turned on his body-worn camera. Frazer then begrudgingly advised Schmidt he would be released on summons and Schmidt was given a ticket.

    Frazer did not have probable cause to arrest Schmidt or issue him a citation, and instead it was a pretext employed by Richmond Police to harass and intimidate in retaliation for Schmidt’s attempt to take a picture of the scene.

    The zip-ties, now removed, left painful marks on Schmidt’s wrists where they had been placed by the officers.

    Because his signature was illegible on the summons, Schmidt asked Frazer to clarify his name. Frazer said his name for the first time and walked away in a gruff manner. As he walked away, Frazer stated to other officers present that he was 'definitely getting sued for this.'"

    Frazer did, indeed, get sued for this. Excerpt from Schmidt v City of Richmond et al, Case 3:22-cv-00404, Amended Complaint, Document #139.

    Address 2000 block West Broad Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Protest Violence  | Benjamin Frazer  | Filming the Police  |
     

    Incident Commonwealth-v-Lockett-Appeal

    Date Oct 21, 2001
    Time 08:30 PM
    Report # Commonwealth-v-Lockett-Appeal
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Robert Sprinkle
    Description

    "On the evening of October 21, 2001, Officers Chuck Howell (Howell) and Robert Sprinkle (Sprinkle) of the Richmond City Police Department... as members of the drugs and weapons unit... arrived at the Creighton Court apartment complex at approximately 8:30 p.m. as part of an effort to surprise 'anyone who was dealing drugs' in the neighborhood, which was 'known for its numerous drug activities.'

    They parked at the southern end of the complex and were walking north when they noticed a group of individuals in a 'cut' between two apartment buildings...

    Howell [said that he] suspected that a drug transaction 'was going to occur or had occurred.'

    However, neither officer saw any drug activities or exchanges.

    Howell and Sprinkle continued walking toward the group. At that point, defendant 'looked in [the officers'] direction' and immediately 'took off running' in the opposite direction...

    Howell yelled at defendant to stop, and he 'got on the ground.'

    Sprinkle handcuffed defendant and did a 'pat down' search for weapons.

    No weapons or drugs were found at that time.

    Howell did not tell defendant that he was under arrest, and Sprinkle told defendant 'you're not under arrest, [you're] under investigative detention until we can figure out . . . what's going on...'

    Sprinkle arrested him for trespassing and in a search incident to the arrest found drugs and a cellular telephone.


    The trial court ruled:

    'I understand why the officers did what they did. But . . . [u]nder the evidence that has been presented to this Court, I do not find the facts to rise to a reasonable articulable suspicion that a crime has occurred or even that a crime is about to occur, and I grant the motion to suppress."

    The Commonwealth appeals this ruling.

    Address Creighton Court Apartments (RRHA Public Housing Unit) between 2100 block of Creighton Rd. and Fairfield Ave.
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Memorandum Opinion  | Richmond  | City of Richmond Circuit Court  | Court of Appeals of Virginia  | Judge Johanna L. Fitzpatrick  | Robert Sprinkle  | Chuck Howell  | Creighton Court  | Drugs and Weapons Unit  | Terrence Linwood Lockett  | Terry Stop  | Unlawful Search  | Trespassing  | Appeals  | Suppression Order  | Affirmed  | East End  | RRHA  |
     

    Incident Police-Riot-7-25

    Date Jul 25, 2020
    Time 09:20 PM
    Report # Police-Riot-7-25
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Description
    Address 200 West Grace Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Less-Lethal Weapons  | Police Protest Violence  | Chief Gerald Smith  | Video  | Mayor Levar Stoney  |
     

    Incident GwarBar-Raid

    Date Aug 20, 2020
    Time 10:11 PM
    Report # GwarBar-Raid
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Dario Buraliev , Christopher M. Gleason , Duane Peppel , Brenda Milena Ruiz , Tyler Rhys Craig , Kathryn Leone
    Description
    Address 217 W Clay Street
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | First Amendment  | Police Protest Violence  | Chief Gerald Smith  | GwarBar  | Brenda Ruiz  | Video  | Filming the Police  |
     

    Incident USA-v-Robert-Haines-Appeal

    Date Jul 12, 2001
    Time 08:30 AM
    Report # USA-v-Robert-Haines-Appeal
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Robert Sprinkle , William A. Breedlove Jr
    Description

    "..[T]he district court, in the Suppression Order of November 29, 2001, concluded that “[g]iven the totality of the circumstances known to the officers in this case [Robert S. Sprinkle and Eric Flick], there was not reasonable, articulable suspicion that criminal activity was afoot, sufficient to conduct an investigatory stop of the defendant.'

    ,.[T]he question of “[w]hether an officer has such reasonable suspicion to justify a stop-and-frisk is subject to de novo review...

    Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision in Terry v. Ohio, law enforcement officers may properly conduct a brief investigative stop of an individual when they possess reasonable suspicion, grounded in specific articulable facts, that he has been, is, or is about to be engaged in criminal activity.

    On appeal, the Government asserts that the events occurring in connection with the surveillance operation of July 12, 2001, were sufficient to create a reasonable suspicion... The Government maintains that... the district court erred... [W]e agree."

    Address 1300 block of North 27th St.
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Richmond  | Surveillance  | Robert Sprinkle  | Terry Stop  | Appeals  | East End  | US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals  | Erick Flick  | William Breedlove  | Reversal  | Robert Haines  | Stop and Frisk  | Miranda Rights  | Police Harassment  | Fourth Amendment  | Probab  | Reasonable Suspicion  |
     

    Incident rcjc-swat-2020

    Date Sep 01, 2020
    Time 05:00 PM
    Report # rcjc-swat-2020
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Harold Giles , Michael Devon Mckinnon , Thomas ("tommy") Lloyd , Thomas Joseph Gilbert , Toney Waldorf
    Description

    Richmond Police Civil Unrest Task Force attacks small crowd of protesters outside Richmond City Justice Center, attempting to rip off one protester's top, banging one protester's head into a riot shield, and attempting to drag another protester off a bike.

    Address 1700 block Fairfield Way
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Jails  | Protest  | First Amendment  |
     

    Incident MDPC-Raid-6-22

    Date Jun 22, 2020
    Time 03:00 AM
    Report # MDPC-Raid-6-22
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Description

    Police stormed Marcus David-Peters Circle where less than 30 people lay relaxing playing music, talking among one another, or playing board games. They unleashed tear gas, upended free food distribution stations, confiscated books from the little free library, and stole the trash cans donated to the site.

    Address 1700 Monument Avenue near N. Allen Avenue
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Less-Lethal Weapons  | Police Protest Violence  | Marcus-David Peters Circle  | Mayor Levar Stoney  |
     

    Incident Schmidt-v-City-of-Richmond

    Date May 30, 2022
    Time 09:00 AM
    Report # Schmidt-v-City-of-Richmond
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Jon Wills Bridges , Thomas ("tommy") Lloyd , Jakob Michelle Torres , Brenda Milena Ruiz , Benjamin James Frazer , Patrick Joseph Digirolamo , Junius Oneal Thorpe , Nico Savon Young , Christopher M. Gleason , Frank Scarpa , Kathryn Leone , Duane Peppel , Khalid Harris , Benjamin Charlkeith Malone , Keegan Thomas Mills , Dario Buraliev , Dominic Joseph Colombo , Daniel Joseph Bondy , Tyler Rhys Craig , Jason Kuti , Steven Rawlings
    Description

    "A. The City of Richmond Police Department (“RPD”) agrees to memorialize a First Amendment policy in a General Order and will seek input from Plaintiffs, through counsel, with the ultimate policy being approved through RPD’s normal chain of command, and implement training once approved.

    B. RPD will review its General Orders to determine which, if any, may be published on its website, in a fashion similar to Fairfax County, Virginia’s police department.

    C. RPD will provide a status update to Plaintiffs’ counsel ninety (90) days from the date of this execution of this Release and Settlement Agreement, and on a continuing basis thereafter until all policies have been reviewed."

    Address Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Lawsuit  | First Amendment  | Settlement  | Virginia Eastern District Court  | Police Protest Violence  | Filming the Police  | Attacks on the Press  |
     

    Incident Cody-Adams-Kills-Douglas-Price

    Date Jan 09, 2023
    Time 04:47 AM
    Report # Cody-Adams-Kills-Douglas-Price
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Cody George Adams
    Description

    Richmond Police Sergeant Cody Adams shot 61-year-old Douglas Price on January 9, 2023 after forcibly entering his home during a "multi-jurisdictional narcotics raid." Adams died in the hospital on July 12 from injuries.

    Address 3300 block of McGuire Drive
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Shootings  | Cody Adams  | Task Force  | Home Invasion  | Narcotics  | Douglas Price  | Chief Rick Adams  | Police Shootings in 2023  | Bodycam Video  | Killing  |
     

    Incident Shooting-of-James-Talbert-III

    Date Mar 31, 2023
    Time 11:09 AM
    Report # Shooting-of-James-Talbert-III
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Description
    Address 4200 block of North Avenue
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Shootings  | No Bodycam  | Police Shootings in 2023  | Killing  | Chief Rick Edwards  |
     

    Incident 207

    Date Dec 16, 2002
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Richard ("rick") G. Edwards
    Description

    Richmond police fatally shot Isaac Thompson, 21.

    Address Castlewood Road
    Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Police Shootings  | Richmond Chief of Police  |
     

    Incident Boomer-v-Novak

    Date Apr 04, 2022
    Time 07:00 PM
    Report # Boomer-v-Novak
    Department Richmond Police Department
    Officers Ryan Novak
    Description

    A court complaint against Richmond Police Officer Ryan J. Novak and several unnamed John Does alleges unlawful search and seizure. The complaint was filed in Virginia Eastern District Court by Bobby Boomer on October 11, 2023. It was assigned the case number 3:23cv650.

    Address Richmond, VA
    Tags Richmond Police  | Lawsuit  | Unlawful Search  |