Crime continues downward trend in Richmond; Fan passes Shockoe for car gun thefts
Violent crime maintains an overall downward trend, according to data shown by police at Thursday’s mid-year crime briefing.
Police Chief Rick Edwards presented the statistics. He said there have been 22 homicides so far this year, compared to 33 at the same time in 2025, and non-fatal shootings have fallen from 85 to 63 across the same time comparison.
Despite the decrease in number of non-fatal shootings, Edwards highlighted a concerning trend in accidental or self-inflicted shootings (not counting suicide). This incudes reckless handling – either by the victim or a third party – and firearm cleaning mishaps. The number of accidental shootings has steadily increased, with 26 incidents so far in 2026.
One way RPD is working to prevent these moments is reminding people of universal firearm safety rules, including treating every firearm like its loaded, never pointing it at anything you’re not intending to shoot – which Edwards admitted “sounds obvious, but it’s not” – and being aware of who or what is behind your target in case you miss or the bullet passes through. He added that investing in a “quality holster” is important if one decides to purchase a firearm.
“Many people we see have guns in their waistband, guns in their pockets,” Edwards said. “The gun moves, they reach for it, grab it, and shoot themselves.”
He added that these types of crimes are “totally preventable.”
Reducing gun violence
The city has taken a multi-pronged approach to reducing gun violence, Edwards said, including monthly meetings with federal and regional partners and coordinating with RPS and RRHA.
He said eliminating revenge shootings is an important element of reducing overall gun violence.
“We have a murder book upstairs that talks about murders in the ‘90s,” Edwards said. “You would see a name on there on Tuesday as a suspect, and before he could be arrested on Thursday, he’s the next victim, and we’re obsessed with that.”
The six-month crime data review revealed 13 areas in Richmond that rank the hottest when it comes to key statistics. Edwards said his group will focus on crime deterrence by having a visible police presence in ‘hotspot’ areas that have had an increase in criminal activity. It also allows for a shorter response time.
Shockoe patrols continue
The number of firearms stolen from motor vehicles went down from 245 in 2025 mid-year to 204 in 2026. However, a significant change occurred in the concentration of where the thefts occurred.
For the first time in several years, the Fan now has the highest number of firearm thefts from a motor vehicle, followed by City Center, Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom and Monroe Ward. Edwards said the bar and club scene in those neighborhoods is largely responsible.
“You cannot walk into one of those restaurants or clubs with a firearm, so people have been leaving their guns in their cars and they’ve been stolen,” Edwards said, adding that he believes the increased police presence in the Bottom has caused the crimes to shift to the Fan.
In the wake of February's shooting in Shockoe Bottom, police began weekend and evening rotations to patrol the area.
Edwards said those are continuing, even though the department remains understaffed. He said the rotations are now mandatory for both patrol and high-ranking officers, including the police chief himself.
Domestic assaults rise after reclassification
The one category of crime that rose was aggravated domestic assault, which Edwards had previously warned would happen as a result of a classification change for domestic assaults involving strangulation. Previously, a strangulation-related domestic assault charge was only elevated to aggravated if the victim passed out; now, any act of strangulation qualifies as an aggravated domestic assault charge.
Edwards said he expects the numbers to continue rising, especially with “intimate partner” relationships being added to the definition of “family or household member.” Under the expanded scope, RPD anticipates more assaults will be classified as “domestic,” both simple and aggravated.
Property crime
Shoplifting is now the biggest category of crime in Richmond, with more than half of this year’s incidents so far reported at ABC stores, though Edwards had previously said this number could be misrepresented due to stricter reporting regulations.
Seraina Caviezel
At this year’s first quarter briefing, the police chief voiced his skepticism for a 2021 Virginia law change that removed the “three strikes” rule for petit larceny, where a third conviction led to an automatic felony charge rather than a misdemeanor.
“What we need to see is consequences when we have someone who has multiple offenses,” Edwards said on Thursday. “There are certain shoplifters that I know (by) name. I see their names on our comp stat meetings every week.”
One way RPD is navigating the law change is by having investigators and officers give their numbers to managers of stores the community deems essential – like grocery stores and pharmacies – so they can call if they recognize someone who has previously been convicted of shoplifting. According to Edwards, the idea is to ban them from the store “before they even steal something.”
Other notes
- Edwards started the presentation with an update on the officer-involved shooting on May 7. The officer involved remains on paid administrative leave and RPD has submitted its findings to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
- There is a fugitive warrant out for 26-year-old John Lee Pettaway, IV, who’s wanted in connection with a home shooting on June 29 that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Charlamon Stokes. Edwards asked members of the public to call 911 if they see Pettaway, and to not approach him.
- The 2026 Safe Summer Initiative started May 22 and will last through September 8, which aims to reduce violent crime in the city “during the typically challenging summer months.”
- From May 22 to July 5, there were 470 traffic summons written, all of which were from the Virginia State Police, who have troopers aiding RPD in Operation Safe Summer.
Contact Intern Haidyn Brockelman at hbrockelman@richmonder.org.
