Woman shot in front of Virginia GOP office, police chief says

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards stated that a woman was shot Thursday at approximately 1:45 p.m. directly in front of the Republican Party of Virginia offices. The party reported in an online statement that the victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Edwards said the woman is expected to survive.

Authorities believe the victim was an innocent bystander. A woman who was inside a hair salon across the street remains in custody. That woman told police she fired shots in self-defense after a man with whom she had an ongoing dispute entered the shop. Police suspect the man may also have been shot based on blood found at the scene. Edwards urged him to turn himself in for medical care and questioning.

Frank Loehr, chief financial officer for the Republican Party of Virginia, was working inside the office when the shots rang out. He said the victim was speaking with two people at an unaffiliated booth outside the building. Staffers brought her inside after she began bleeding. Loehr described her as conscious and moaning in pain, with a visible wound on her shoulder. First responders arrived quickly to transport her to a hospital.

The incident occurred just before the midterm elections. Edwards said the shooting had nothing to do with the upcoming vote. Loehr told reporters he and other staffers were working inside when the gunfire started. He described the victim as having been struck in the shoulder. First responders took her away shortly after she was brought inside.

Loehr said he was shaken by the event. He noted that the woman was conscious and in pain when staff brought her in. The booth where she was speaking was not affiliated with the party. Police are investigating the dispute between the two individuals in the hair salon.