RICHMOND, VIRGINIA -
A group of friends from Hanover County had just left a Grace Street nightspot and were heading for home Sunday night when a bullet meant for someone else slammed into the head of one of the drivers in their two-car caravan.
William O. Ennis III, 29, of Ashland died at the downtown scene as two of his horrified female friends fought to stop the car drifting down Belvidere towards the interstate.
On Tuesday, Richmond police issued this updated statement about the 10 p.m. shooting.
"After interviewing several witnesses, investigators believe Ennis was not the intended target of the shooter. They have determined the shooting was not random the gunman had apparently selected a target - but that Ennis unknowingly drove his vehicle into the line of fire and was struck."
One of the female passengers in Ennis' Honda said they had a fun night prior the shooting. Ennis had been playing pool, dancing and singing. They left early because he had to work early the next morning, she said.
They stopped at the light at Belvidere and Marshall streets. The light turned green and Ennis just started to pull off when there was a popping noise, the female passenger told CBS-6.
A hole had burst open in the back glass, she said. Ennis slumped over a bit, his arms went limp and he had blood on his face, she said. The girl in the back seat yelled Billy's name, and the front seat passenger said she shook Ennis, trying to get him to wake up as the car ghosted down the slope on Belvidere.
She said jerked the wheel back and forth, trying to draw attention to their plight. She put the car in park and turned off the ignition, but the car kept rolling. She said she opened the door, thinking to jump out. "But we were going too fast."
The passenger in the back pulled up the emergency brake. The car stopped near the on ramp to Interstate 95. The front seat passenger said they ran down the hill into a grassy area and hid until police arrived.
The passenger, who asked not to be identified, said Ennis was her best friend. She can't believe he's gone, and she has a hard time getting over the numd sensation she felt as the deadly ride down Belvidere unfolded.
Richmond police spokesman Gene Lepley said investigators know there are several other people who saw what happened that night. They urge them to come forward either anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or by calling the department's tipline at 514-TIPS (8477) to speak to a detective.
William O. Ennis III, 29, of Ashland died at the downtown scene as two of his horrified female friends fought to stop the car drifting down Belvidere towards the interstate.
On Tuesday, Richmond police issued this updated statement about the 10 p.m. shooting.
"After interviewing several witnesses, investigators believe Ennis was not the intended target of the shooter. They have determined the shooting was not random the gunman had apparently selected a target - but that Ennis unknowingly drove his vehicle into the line of fire and was struck."
One of the female passengers in Ennis' Honda said they had a fun night prior the shooting. Ennis had been playing pool, dancing and singing. They left early because he had to work early the next morning, she said.
They stopped at the light at Belvidere and Marshall streets. The light turned green and Ennis just started to pull off when there was a popping noise, the female passenger told CBS-6.
A hole had burst open in the back glass, she said. Ennis slumped over a bit, his arms went limp and he had blood on his face, she said. The girl in the back seat yelled Billy's name, and the front seat passenger said she shook Ennis, trying to get him to wake up as the car ghosted down the slope on Belvidere.
She said jerked the wheel back and forth, trying to draw attention to their plight. She put the car in park and turned off the ignition, but the car kept rolling. She said she opened the door, thinking to jump out. "But we were going too fast."
The passenger in the back pulled up the emergency brake. The car stopped near the on ramp to Interstate 95. The front seat passenger said they ran down the hill into a grassy area and hid until police arrived.
The passenger, who asked not to be identified, said Ennis was her best friend. She can't believe he's gone, and she has a hard time getting over the numd sensation she felt as the deadly ride down Belvidere unfolded.
Richmond police spokesman Gene Lepley said investigators know there are several other people who saw what happened that night. They urge them to come forward either anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or by calling the department's tipline at 514-TIPS (8477) to speak to a detective.
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