HENRICO COUNTY—
Henrico Police have released the following description of the suspect in a weekend shooting near the Food Lion on Nine Mile Road:black male possibly a teenager 5'8'' - 5'10'' skinny dark complexion short hair wearing a white tee shirt, and grey pants.
There was a group of teenagers nearby who likely saw this incident. If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or Investigator Jeff Ensor at 804-501-5794.
August 29, 2010 11:28 PM EDT
Residents of the Coventry Gardens apartment complex are still in disbelief after a 77-year-old grandfather sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen.
"Why would you want to rob an old man," cried one resident, Charmaine Thomas. "And if he said he has no money, why would you shoot him?"
Henrico Police and EMS staff responded to an incident off East Nine Mile Road and Newbridge Road Saturday evening, arriving to find an elderly man wounded and collapsed outside a Food Lion entrance.
Lt. Jim Price told CBS 6 the victim walked from the apartment complex to the grocery store shortly after 10:30 p.m. with his 6-year-old grandson, when a male teen grabbed him from behind and placed a gun at his side.
"The elderly gentleman stated that he had no money, at which time a shot rang out," said Price. "He was shot in the abdomen and pelvic area of his body."
Following the shooting, Price said the victim fled the scene and the grandson alerted employees at Food Lion and called 911 himself.
"The grandson remained calm enough to explain that his grandpa had been shot, and that he needed help," added Price.
Tenants at Coventry Gardens say the victim, know as "Mickey", has lived in the development for many years and frequently walks around with his grandson or makes visits to friends and neighbors.
"He's the nicest person in the whole complex, he never bothers a soul," said Lonnie Alley, who lives in the apartment right above Mickey's. "He's like an elder- if you need advice you go to him, he'll help you any way he can."
While news of the shooting made enraged and saddened members of this East End community, no one expressed surprise at the nature of the crime.
"It happens all the time," noted Thomas, who lives at the opposite end of the complex. "When I go to the store I either hide my money in my bra or I [act] like I'm talking to somebody on my phone so no one will bother me."
Thomas says her daughter was robbed a couple of years ago walking to Food Lion and punched in the face by her assailants.
She says most people living in Coventry Gardens have had similar experiences.
"They need to put cameras around here, and a fence and security guards," proposed Alley. "Honestly."
Henrico Police are still searching for the lone shooter, a male teen they describe as about five-and-a-half feet tall and weighing about 130 pounds.
He was wearing a white hat, white shirt, gray slacks and shoes at the time of the shooting.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.
