RICHMOND, Va. -- A construction worker accused of firing multiple shots at a co-worker in downtown Richmond earlier this month is behind bars after being apprehended by U.S. Marshals.
Capitol Police were called for a report of shots fired in a state parking deck at Seventh and Marshall Streets not far from of Capitol Square just before 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 4.
Officers said 21-year-old Hakeem L. Whitaker, who was part of a construction crew doing repair work at the deck, got into a quarrel with a coworker.
"Investigators determined that as the coworker tried to drive from the deck, Whitaker fired multiple shots at him twice, first inside the garage and then at Seventh and Broad streets, Capitol Police officials said.
Police said Whitaker's colleague was not injured.
Officials said Whitaker returned to the parking garage the next morning. When officers tried to stop his car, "he drove off, reaching high speeds in a car that contained a 1-year-old child and the child's mother.
Whitaker then led officers to the Blackwell neighborhood where he jumped out of the car and ran off, according to Capitol Police.
Twelve days later, Whitaker was taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force Wednesday.
Whitaker was charged with four felonies: one count each of attempted first-degree murder, use of a firearm, eluding and abuse/neglect of a child; as well as four misdemeanors: one count each of reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, disregarding a traffic control device and failure to keep the peace.
Whitaker, who is being held without bond at the Richmond City Justice Center, is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 23.
“I am grateful to all of our law enforcement partners for their vigilance and especially to the members of the task force for getting this dangerous individual in custody,” Capitol Police Chief Col. Anthony S. Pike said. “This individual has repeatedly demonstrated a stunning disregard for human life, and he needs to be in a place where he cannot harm the public."
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