RICHMOND, VA — A man wearing a turquoise baseball cap was seen running from the scene after a woman was fatally shot in South Richmond on Thursday afternoon. Police are searching for the suspect following the deadly incident, which claimed the life of a woman identified by her co-worker as Erica.
The shooting happened in the 1700 block of Richmond Highway at approximately 1:45 p.m. Richmond police officers arrived after receiving reports of gunfire and found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards addressed the incident during a press conference, confirming that investigators were looking for a suspect. Police described the man as Black, in his 30s, and between 6 feet 1 inch and 6 feet 3 inches tall. He was wearing a distinctive turquoise baseball cap.
Investigators said the man was last seen running east from the area. Police have asked members of the public to share any information that could help establish what happened and lead to his identification. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the identity of the person responsible.
While officers worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing, the victim’s co-worker, Tomika Forbes, shared details about the woman they knew as Erica. Forbes said she had received a text from her friend shortly before noon on the same day. Erica had greeted her and mentioned that she was getting ready for work.
That brief exchange became their final conversation. Forbes also revealed that Erica was only three days away from her 49th birthday. She had been excited about the occasion and had spoken about it with people close to her.
Forbes remembered Erica as a positive person who took her work seriously and deeply loved her family. She spoke particularly about Erica’s sons and also mentioned that she had a granddaughter. The news of her death has been especially difficult for those who shared everyday moments with her.
Chief Edwards said police did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the wider community, even though the suspect had not been located at the time of the briefing. The department continued to seek information from anyone who might have witnessed the shooting or seen the man leaving the area.
The killing marked Richmond’s 39th homicide investigation of the year, according to the police chief. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Richmond Police Department at 804-780-1000 or call 911.
Forbes said she hoped everyone involved in the shooting would be identified and held accountable. For Erica’s family, friends and co-workers, the immediate concern is the loss of a woman who had been looking forward to celebrating another birthday just days later.