In the warmth of a spring afternoon in Richmond, Virginia, Lonnie W. Carter, a 43-year-old Black / African American man, was seated on a porch in the 00 block of W. 27th Street. It was Thursday, May 2, 2019, and the time was approximately 1:19 p.m. The everyday tranquility of the Southside neighborhood, near Carter Jones Park, was about to be irrevocably shattered.
In a sudden act of violence, a vehicle drove by, and shots rang out, striking Carter.
Neighbors reported hearing at least three gunshots, a sound that ripped through the daylight, prompting calls to the Richmond Police Department. When officers arrived, they found Lonnie Carter unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of those present, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was quickly classified as a homicide, marking the third killing in the city in a brief 36-hour period, a grim statistic in what was a string of recent shootings.
The brazen nature of the drive-by shooting left the community in a state of fear and shock. One resident recounted the harrowing experience of trying to render aid to Carter in his final moments. The police began their investigation, appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the perpetrators. Detectives canvassed the area and urged anyone with knowledge of the crime to come forward, offering the anonymity of the Crime Stoppers program as an assurance.
In the days that followed, the Richmond Police Department publicly identified Lonnie W. Carter as the victim. However, despite their appeals and the ongoing investigation, there were no immediate reports of arrests or the identification of any suspects. The case remains a stark and painful reminder of the impact of gun violence, leaving a family to mourn and a community to grapple with the unanswered questions surrounding the death of Lonnie W. Carter. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been announced in connection with his murder.
