On the morning of Thursday, April 9, 2026, events unfolded in the 1000 block of St. James Street in Richmond, Virginia, that would end in tragedy. It was at approximately 10:27 a.m. that the Richmond Police Department received a report of a shooting in the area. Officers were dispatched to the scene, and upon their arrival, they discovered a man who was down and unresponsive. The man, identified as 42-year-old Roger Swinson of Richmond, was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Tragically, his injuries were fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause and manner of his death were later to be determined by the Medical Examiner.
In the days that followed, the Richmond Police Department confirmed that they were investigating Roger Swinson's death as a homicide. Detectives from the Major Crimes unit are actively looking into the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting. As of now, authorities have not released any information regarding a potential suspect or suspects in the case, and no arrests have been made. The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. They have asked for the public's assistance, providing contact information for the lead detective and Crime Stoppers, where tips can be submitted anonymously. An obituary for Roger McKinley Swinson was published, announcing his passing and stating that no services would be held. A memorial page was also created on the National Gun Violence Memorial website in his honor.
