RICHMOND, Va. -- Tensions are high in Richmond after five different shootings in less than 24 hours one day after Richmond police held a community walk at the Gilpin Court public housing project stressing a decline in violent crime.
Richmond's new police chief and his command staff met some of the people they serve by walking the streets of Gilpen Court, one of the city's most vulnerable populations when it comes to violent crime. Officers assured residents that their voices mattered on Saturday.
However, just hours after police kicked off the Gilpen Court's safety initiative, a string of shootings began. In fact, there were five separate shootings with six total victims by 2 p.m. on Sunday.
While none of the shootings were fatal, two of the incidents took place in the Gilpen Court neighborhood.
"None of the shootings were related,” said Richmond Police Major Steve Drew. “The shootings were all isolated incidents."
Drew said that the timing is unfortunate, but maintains that Richmond police are continuing to see a positive trend in reducing violent crime. In fact, Richmond police have responded to just five homicides -- the second fewest number of murders in recent years -- so far for 2015.
"They're doing a good job so far. The crime rate went down a little bit,” one resident said
Leon Willis, a Gilpen Court resident, said crime tends to escalate this time of year when more people are outside. But while he is impressed with the department's community policing initiatives, he said there is more work to be done.
"Patrolling a little more, walking around a little more. Talk to people, you know," Willis said.
Police hope Saturday's walk will remind residents that they are working harder to stop the violence. Nevertheless, police maintain officers need the public's trust to be successful.
"I want them to be upset. I want them to say we're not going to tolerate this in neighborhoods," Drew said. "We're not going to tolerate this around our kids that are growing up in the city."
Attempted Robbery
Investigators said two men wounded a fourth during an attempted robbery near the 3400 block of Jefferson Davis Highway around 12:30 am. According to police, the victim suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Drive-By Shooting
RPD is also investigating a drive-by shooting in the city's East End, which occurred at around 10:30 pm Saturday night.
Officers told CBS 6 News that a woman in a car pulled up to a group of people walking down the street in the 1700 block of Carlisle Avenue near Highway 60 and opened fire. Two men were wounded in the incident with injuries that were non-life threatening.
Paramedics took both victims to the VCU Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Shot in the Wrist
Nearly an hour before, officers responded to a shooting near 2300 Leigh Street after reports of shots fired. Police found him bleeding from the wrist.
The suspect is unknown, but could possibly be driving a blue van. The victim was transported to the VCU with non-life threatening injuries.
Baker Street Shooting
Richmond police also responded to a shooting at the 100 block of E. Baker Street at 6:18 pm on Saturday. The victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds with non life-threatening injuries.
St. James Shooting
Another shooting was sparked, police say by an argument, Sunday afternoon in the 1100 block of St. James just before 2.
Officials said the victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to VCU Medical Center.
If you have any information on any of these shootings that could help police, call Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
