Richmond police move fast on Brookland Park murder
Richmond police report that an arrest has been made in yesterday’s deadly shooting at Third Avenue and Brookland Park Boulevard:
Investigators arrested David M. Ellis, 18, of the 3000 block of Garland Avenue, within hours after finding Kelvin R. Green, 38, of Highland Springs, dead of a gunshot wound in the 2900 block of Third Avenue at 3:05 p.m. yesterday. Ellis has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and possession with the intent to distribute drugs in connection with the homicide. He is being held without bond.
The initial investigation indicates the motive appears to be drug-related; however, the investigation is ongoing.
“The Richmond Police Department pulled all available assets to focus on this murder investigation yesterday. We used our resources in the Narcotics Units, ATF, VCIT as well as the significant assistance we received from the Highland Park community to produce this quick arrest,” Major John Venuti said.
“We will continue to aggressively investigate and combat these random acts of violence that are associated with the drug trade.”
Richmond police totally rock.
Crime 360 on A&E taught me that.
The 3000 block of Garland is one of the worst block in RVA. It does not surprise me that this person lived there.
I have been reporting the “issues” on 3000 block of Garland for about 9 months now. Too bad they haven’t done anything about that block. Maybe that person wouldn’t have had to die.
800 Block of W Lancaster is pretty bad too.
The police had been made aware of the situation that existed in this community weeks prior to the incident. The police should take a more proactive approach to crime, instead of reacting to it after the fact. I am glad that a suspect was apprehended, but this incident could have been averted if the police were more in tuned to responding to citizens that express a concern for issues that plague there community.
Sounds like you believe we need thought police.
Honest, The police were really made aware of the situation about a year prior to the shooting.
The police on Garland would have stopped a murder on third? Dont think so. Just bc that kid said he lived there only goes as far as that is his physical address or an old address on police file.
No one, not you me or the cops can predict from the THOUSANDS of criminals in the city who will take it to the level of death.
It is sad that another drug deal gone bad in the city has resulted in death. That is the risk buyers take unfortunately.
Quiser,I have many times over the last 20 years voiced my opinion about the issues that plauge this community, this particular area in general. The problem is that those that truly have the ability to make a difference don’t deal with the day to day issues that the people of this community see everyday when they walk out thier front door. You cannot truly understand this dilema if you never expirenced it or lived it. IT IS REAL. Moreover,its a real shame that those who have the ability to make a difference don’t understand the concerns of those they have been sworn to protect and serve. From the Mayor and the police to the the city council, it is everybodies responsibilty. Lasly,it takes everybody in the community the citizens the merchants, the administrators and the police to eradicate this cancer.
Well I have and others in our area have been calling the police. The issue with the police is not with patrol people, but with SID it not just working in it’s current state. Also the most of the merchants are not involved. I also believe that some the merchants maybe part of the problem. As for council, they have done but without full involement from merchants nothing along Brookland will change.
First,I believe that you are right. merchants are a part of the problem and need to be involved. In my opinion there is an ethical responsibility that merchants have in keeping the area where they operate their business safe for those who patronize it. That means if merchants want to set up shop and provide a service to the citizens of a community, they should not assume that just because they have a product that people want or need that they will automatically come. Other merchants sell the same products that they do. There are people that will drive much further to avoid the menace. In essence, if that business is not supported by the community, it will cease to exist. Secondly, In my opinion the issue with the police is the patrols. When I say the police should be proactive in enforcement of law instead of reactive, I mean that they should initiate field interview reports with individuals that loiter around a particular area or commercial district at different times of the day with no agenda other than being a nuisance. If you see the same person or persons at 11:00am again at 1:00pm then again at 3:00pm 5 to 7 days a week then there is something wrong with that picture.
These individuals that protect and serve us are supposed to be some of the brightest, and most intelligent . If you and I know that something is wrong with that picture then so do they. “An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure” A proactive approach does stop other things from occurring.
Lastly, I truly believe that you call the police and they may respond, but not to the level necessary to bring an end to the problem. If a murder takes place in Westover Hills the police set up an action plan to walk through the community go door to door and assure that everyone feels safe. When a homicide occurs in Chestnut Hill/Highland Park,and Barton Heights, they should do the same. I don’t see that. I don’t see that same level of commitment made to those citizens, who also pay taxes and deserve the same level of respect and commitment. I feel that one of the biggest dilemmas is that when people go home they don’t have to see those same issues that others face daily, if they did; they would not tolerate it. It is not that they don’t care even though some may not. I just believe that they can sometimes put it on a shelf for a little while. Not everyone can just pick up and leave, nor do they want to. This is a problem. A problem that has gone on to long with no significant improvement. It is time that those who have the power to change things are held accountable. That means You, me and everyone else that has the ability to change things for the betterment of this community. If that means changes in philosophy, agendas or even people in administrative positions then we have to make the efforts to change them. I believe we can do it. Things can change.
Honest, we will have to see what happens this weekend. It going to be warm so you know the dealers are going to be out running drugs.
I’m new to the neighborhood and was reading your posts. I was actually about 100 yards away when this murder happened. I was with a friend who picked up on the sound of the gun – he said, “Did you that . . . welcome to the neighborhood”. So needless to say, I have a lot to learn.
Ouiser, can you explain what SID is?
Adelphia, SID stands for Special Investigations Division, bascially VICE.