Woman shot outside Virginia GOP headquarters in Richmond, party confirms
A woman was shot outside the Republican Party of Virginia’s headquarters in Richmond on Thursday, less than a week before the midterm elections. Police said she was an innocent bystander caught in gunfire during an unrelated dispute, and the party said there was no indication it was connected to its operations.
The shooting happened at about 1.45 pm near a hair salon across from the Obenshain Center. Police said a woman inside the salon reported that a man involved in an ongoing dispute entered, and she fired shots in self-defence; the bystander was struck and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The woman alleged to have fired the shots is in custody, while police said blood at the scene suggested the man may also have been injured.
In short
- Bystander injured in shooting near Virginia GOP headquarters.
- Police said the incident was unrelated to the elections.
- The alleged shooter is in custody; a man may also be hurt.
Explained simply
Richmond is Virginia’s capital, and the Obenshain Center is the headquarters of the state Republican Party. The party helps organise Republican candidates and election activity across Virginia.
Midterm elections take place halfway through a US president’s four-year term, when voters choose members of Congress and, in some states, other officials. The shooting was reported near the party’s headquarters shortly before this election, but police described it as arising from a separate dispute.