On a tragic afternoon in Richmond, Virginia, the life of 23-year-old Candace Gomness was cut short by an act of violence. On August 4, 2022, Gomness, a White female from Chesterfield, was fatally wounded in a shooting that unfolded on Forest Hill Avenue. The incident, which occurred around 3:13 p.m., prompted a swift response from the Richmond Police Department after they received reports of random gunfire in the 4000 block of the busy thoroughfare.
Upon their arrival, officers
discovered a vehicle that had struck a curb and come to a stop near the intersection of West 44th Street and Forest Hill Avenue. Inside the car, they found Candace Gomness and a male companion, both suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency services transported them to a local hospital, where Gomness ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The male victim's injuries were not considered to be life-threatening.
The investigation into the homicide quickly led to a suspect. The following day, authorities arrested 20-year-old Miguel Rampersad of Richmond in connection with the shooting. He was initially charged with attempted murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. At the time of his arrest, the Richmond Police Department indicated that additional charges were pending as they continued to delve into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
Detectives with the Major Crimes unit believed the shooting may have taken place near the intersection of Roanoke Street in the 4000 block of Forest Hill Avenue. The motive for the shooting remained unclear as the investigation proceeded. The Medical Examiner's office was tasked with determining the official cause and manner of Candace Gomness's death. Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the homicide to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
