In the late morning of February 20, 2023, the life of 24-year-old Balewa Osei Hendy Jr. was tragically cut short in an alley in Richmond, Virginia. Officers responded to a report of a shooting near the 2000 block of West Broad Street at approximately 11:03 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered Hendy, a male, unresponsive and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
He was quickly transported to a local hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injury.
The investigation into Hendy’s death moved forward with the assistance of technology. According to the Interim Chief of Police, video sources throughout the city were instrumental in helping detectives identify a vehicle and a potential suspect. This crucial evidence, combined with the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Richmond Police Department's Fourth Precinct Focus Mission Team, led to a significant breakthrough in the case.
Less than two weeks later, on March 1, 2023, an arrest was made. Alvin Holmes, a 28-year-old resident of Richmond, was taken into custody without incident. Authorities announced that Holmes was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and that additional charges related to the homicide were pending. Investigators believe that an altercation preceded the fatal shooting. The case continues to move through the justice system as those who knew and loved Balewa Hendy await further developments.
