RICHMOND, Va. — Authorities have arrested a 20-year-old man for a fatal triple shooting believed to have been triggered by an argument along west Broad Street near Virginia Commonwealth University’s main campus in July.
Richmond police said 20-year-old Tavario E. Gates of the 12000 block of Oak Bluff Trail in Chester was arrested Tuesday. He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a concealed weapon. All three charges are felonies.
“An outpouring of assistance from the community helped us to identify key witnesses and move this case forward,” said Captain James Laino with the Major Crimes Division.
Richmond and VCU Police officers responded to the 1300 block of West Broad Street for reports of random gunfire and persons shot at 2:44 a.m. on July 24. When officers arrived, they found three adult victims with gunshot wounds inside the common area of an apartment building.
The victims were transported to a local hospital, but 24-year-old Erik R. McCorkle of the 1800 block of Regal Drive in Henrico County died of his injuries at the hospital. The other two victims, one male and one female, are expected to recover.
Detectives think an argument between two groups sparked the gunfire.
While the crime happened near VCU’s main campus, officials said none of the victims are VCU students.
If you have information that could help police, call Major Crimes Detective Gary Bailey at 804-646-6743 or contact Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or at http://www.7801000.com.
