Richmond police officers shot a man while responding to a domestic situation at an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Southwood Parkway on Friday night. He was shot in the leg, taken to a hospital, and listed in stable condition. The suspect called 911 around 8 p.m., and officers were on scene for about 50 minutes before shots were fired.
According to WTVR CBS 6, officers responded to the domestic call in the Southwood area. Officers interviewed the domestic-assault victim and then attempted to take the suspect into custody. Chief Rick Edwards told the station that the suspect pulled out a firearm as officers attempted to take him into custody, before officers fired. Two officers fired their service weapons. CBS 6 says it plans to update its reporting as more information becomes available, and the story remains developing as of Friday night.
What Happens Next Under Department Policy
Any Richmond officer who fires a service weapon during a critical incident is automatically placed on administrative leave with pay while investigators review what happened, a standard protocol outlined by the department and detailed on RVA.gov. The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office was notified, and the Richmond Police Department will conduct its own internal policy review.
Requesting the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation to conduct or review local officer-involved shooting investigations is standard procedure for law enforcement agencies across the state, according to Cville Right Now. Under Virginia Code § 52-28.2, the Virginia Department of State Police is also statutorily required to compile data on all officer-involved shootings resulting in death or serious injury for its annual Crime in Virginia report.
Body-Camera Footage Could Surface Within Two Weeks
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards has established a departmental policy committing the department to release a Critical Incident Briefing video following fatal officer-involved shootings, within two weeks unless the chief determines a delay is needed for investigative, prosecutorial, or privacy concerns, according to Good Morning RVA. Those briefings typically include 911 audio, body-camera footage, and scene photos. Department General Orders also restrict officers involved in a use-of-force incident from reviewing body-worn camera footage of the incident until they complete all required force documentation and initial reports, per RVA.gov.
A Neighborhood With a Recent History of Violence
Friday's shooting is not the first time police have responded to serious violence in Southwood. Richmond police previously responded to the same neighborhood in May 2026 to investigate a double homicide inside a Southwood apartment complex, the same station reported. An August 2025 shooting in the 1700 block of Clarkson Road left one person dead and three injured.
The man's identity has not been released.
