Suspect tracked from Dunston Avenue apartment to Oakwood Cemetery
Richmond police say the suspect sought in a South Richmond homicide died by suicide Monday afternoon inside a vehicle at Oakwood Cemetery, following an hours‑long police response that included armored rescue vehicles and a drone.
Police were first called about a reported death around noon to the 4000 block of Dunston Avenue, near Forest Hill Park, where officers found a woman who had been shot and pronounced dead at the scene, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said. Investigators developed a suspect and obtained warrants related to the case, including a charge for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Officers located the suspect at Oakwood Cemetery in the East End, where he was in a vehicle with another adult woman. Police established a perimeter and deployed two armored rescue vehicles as they approached the scene. Around 4:30 p.m., the suspect shot himself and was pronounced dead at the scene, Edwards said. No officers or members of the public were reported injured.
"We believe they are related, and we're not prepared to name him at this time," Edwards said, adding that police will release the suspect's identity after family notifications are complete.
Investigative steps and public safety
Police recovered a handgun in the vehicle; Edwards said the weapon was stolen. A woman who fled from the vehicle was taken into custody and is cooperating with detectives. Edwards said investigators do not anticipate charging her and that they believe she and the suspect knew each other.
Officers used a drone to approach the vehicle before a SWAT entry was made. Both sides of the cemetery were cordoned off while armored rescue vehicles moved in. Edwards emphasized there was no ongoing threat to the public and that police were not seeking additional suspects.
How residents can help
Investigators asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 780‑1000 or Detective Darnell at 646‑3927. Police said they will publicly identify the suspect after family notifications are complete and may provide more context about the relationship between the two people found in the vehicle.
- Location of initial call: 4000 block of Dunston Avenue, near Forest Hill Park
- Location where suspect was found: Oakwood Cemetery, East End
- Timeframe: initial call around noon; suspect died around 4:30 p.m.
The Richmond Police Department said the case remains under active investigation. Officers confirmed the woman who fled the vehicle is cooperating and that they do not expect to pursue charges against her. Authorities also said the recovered firearm had been reported stolen.
| Detail | Known information |
|---|---|
| Initial incident | Female victim shot at Dunston Avenue apartment; pronounced dead |
| Suspect location | Vehicle inside Oakwood Cemetery |
| Outcome | Suspect died by suicide; handgun recovered |
| Public injuries | None reported |
Richmond residents who frequent Oakwood Cemetery or live near Forest Hill Park said the heavy police presence drew attention Monday as officers blocked access to parts of the cemetery. Police confirmed no civilians were in the cemetery at the time of the shooting and that no officers were injured during the operation.
The department urged anyone with relevant information to contact the listed tips lines. As the probe continues, the department said it will release the suspect's name once relatives have been notified and further investigative steps are completed.
This report will be updated as police provide more details.
