RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond’s most recent homicide victim was an artist in his South Richmond community.
Albert “Cartoon” C. Trower, 56, was found shot dead Sunday morning at about 6:20 a.m., according to Richmond Police. Trower’s body was found in the 100 block of Playn Street. He was homeless at the time of his death.
Trower was known for his art. In 2015, Mark Holmberg interviewed him about his gift.
"His nicknames are 'Art-boy' and 'Cartoon," Holmberg wrote in 2015. "He has a sweet portfolio of his hand-drawn depictions of celebrities and civil rights leaders, tattoo designs, his own cartoon characters and board games he has invented."
Trower said he learned art by watching his brothers draw.
"They'd look back and say, 'You'll never be able to do this.' By the time I was nine, I was running circles around them. I never lost an art contest," he told Mark. "My goal is just to be known all across Virginia... if it goes across the country, fine. I'll take the growth."
Trower's Sunday morning death was being investigated as a homicide.
Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call Major Crimes Detective Jon Bridges at 804-646-4494 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
