Two Injured in Richmond Shooting

While overall major crime in Richmond saw a 12% decrease in 2025, the city experienced a significant 163% spike in shooting incidents in the last 90 days of the year. This particular incident on Mechanicsville Turnpike follows a homicide in the same area in October 2024 and a murder in March 2025. The total number of people shot in Richmond in 2025 was 221, the lowest since 2015, despite the year-end surge. Homicides remained steady at 54, the same as in 2024. These statistics are part of a broader trend in Virginia, which saw its overall gun death rate increase by 34% from 2014 to 2023. Exposure to community violence is increasingly recognized as a critical public health issue with direct impacts on maternal and infant health. Studies have shown a correlation between neighborhood violence and adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth. In Richmond, a VCU study explored the link between neighborhood violence and the risk of preterm birth, highlighting the need for social support for pregnant women in affected areas. Virginia's maternal mortality rate was 32.7 per 100,000 live births between 2018 and 2022, with significant racial disparities. The rate for Black women in Virginia is more than double that of white women. In response to high maternal death rates, VCU Health has launched "Heartbeats," a program to support pregnant and postpartum survivors of intimate partner violence, a risk that can escalate during pregnancy. In an effort to address the consequences of violence, some Richmond hospitals, including those in the Bon Secours network, participate in the Virginia Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP). This program provides support to survivors of violence during and after hospitalization, aiming to reduce re-injury rates, which are just 3% for HVIP patients compared to a 40% national average. For nursing professionals, the rise in community violence corresponds with an increase in workplace violence, with 76% of healthcare workers reporting they have experienced violence. The Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association and the Virginia Nurses Association are actively working to address this through legislative advocacy and by providing de-escalation training and support for healthcare staff. The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) has also emphasized the role of midwives in screening for domestic violence, a crucial step as violence against women can begin or escalate during pregnancy. The organization provides education for student and practicing nurse-midwives on universal screening and appropriate intervention for all women in their care.