RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A man is dead after police say he was shot while preparing to step onto a Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) bus in Richmond’s Southside Thursday morning.
According to the Richmond Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Cowardin Avenue and Hull Street for a report of a person shot around 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 28. When they got there, the officers found a man on the pavement at the rear door of a GRTC bus.
The shooting victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police determined the man was getting ready to step onto the bus when he was shot.
Harolette DePriest told 8News she witnessed the aftermath of the crime while she was waiting to board the same bus.
“I actually saw his body lying there in the street and [I was] distraught for my whole day because I just kept seeing that image,” she said. “A senseless killing. Don’t really know what happened before, but just to see a brother laying there in the street– it’s heartbreaking.”
DePriest said she rides the bus every day and hasn’t encountered an incident like this so close to home. Although the neighborhood is pretty quiet, she’s planning to be more aware when traveling.
“When I have to catch it early in the morning or late at night, I’m going to be very cautious and careful,” she said.
In a release posted Thursday morning, GRTC acknowledged an “incident of gun violence” that took place “next to a GRTC bus.”
“We would like to express our deep condolences to the family of the victim and our dismay that such an incident occurred at all,” said GRTC in the release.
When asked about GRTC’s security plan, the company said, “All transit buses have, in addition to other security features, on-board cameras. We are nearing the completion of fleet-wide live streaming capacity, which is already active at Pulse Stations, and the new Downtown Transfer Station – and plan upgrades for Specialized Transportation.”
GRTC also said violent incidents on board company vehicles have continued to decline, and physical altercations are trending down.
Police have not released any information regarding a possible suspect. This incident is still under investigation, anyone with information is asked to call Richmond Police at 804-646-5112.
