Fatal shooting of armed man in downtown Tuesday morning – Update: Victim’s and officers’ involved names released

Updated RPD Statement 7/26 4:31:

The Richmond Police Department has identified the person who was fatally shot during an encounter with RPD officers yesterday morning.

Alexander J. Schoessel, 23, of the 1100 block of Rochelle Road, Chester, VA was shot at approximately 10:00 a.m. at the intersection of 3rd and East Main Streets as he attacked an RPD officer with a small axe. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:31 a.m.

Two RPD officers discharged their weapons during the attack. They are:

•  Nicholas Pechstein, 28, Patrol Officer, 8 months of service
• Joshua Sanborn, 24, Patrol Officer, 8 months of service

An RPD officer was wounded when he was caught in the line of fire. The bullet struck his ballistic vest. He taken to a local hospital where he was treated and released. He is:

• · John Rotondi, 43, Patrol Officer, 12 years of service

“I am grateful that Officer Rotondi was not seriously wounded,” said Chief Alfred Durham. “He is a fine officer – one we rely on to train our newer officers so they learn the proper way to do the job.”

All of the officers who were present at the time of the shooting have received behavioral health counseling to help them deal with what they’ve experienced. They may continue to receive counseling if they wish.

“Although it is early in our investigation, from what I’ve seen and heard, these officers behaved with the utmost professionalism and courage,” said Chief Durham. “I believe they acted with restraint until they were called upon to use greater force.”

Videos captured by several body-worn cameras will be used by the Department’s Force Investigation Team (FIT) as they prepare a report for Chief Durham who will review it and then submit it to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review. The videos will be released once the C.A.’s Office has made its determination. The FIT detectives have also interviewed all the RPD officers who were present and several eyewitnesses, and they will process ballistic and forensic evidence collected at the scene.

Updated RPD Statement 7/25 4:57 PM:

Officer-Involved Shooting Downtown

The Richmond Police Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred this morning in downtown Richmond. One person was killed and an RPD officer was wounded during the incident.

At approximately 9:31 a.m., RPD officers were alerted by a call to 911 of a man carrying a large knife and small axe behaving erratically near the Tredegar Iron Works. Using information provided by additional callers, they were able to track his whereabouts as he moved southward into the city. At approximately 10:00 a.m., they spotted him at the intersection of 3rd and East Main Streets.

The RPD officers attempted to speak to the man but, despite repeated attempted to de-escalate the situation using verbal commands, he refused to lay down his weapons. A Taser was deployed but was ineffective. When the man attacked the officers, two of them fired their service weapons striking the man.

He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:31 a.m. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause and manner of death.

His name will be released once a positive identification has been made and next of kin notified.

An RPD officer, a male 12 year veteran of the Department, was also wounded during the incident. He was transported to a local hospital with a non-life threatening wound, treated and released.

The names of the RPD officers involved in the shooting will be released once a threat-assessment has been conducted and Chief Alfred Durham has reviewed a preliminary report of the incident.

“I am sorry about the loss of life that occurred today. I wish there had been a different outcome,” said Chief Alfred Durham. “But it is important to remember what my officers are dealing with at this time. They have been interviewed and placed on administrative leave. I will release their names once I am assured there is no threat of retaliation against them.”

The Department’s Force Investigation Team (FIT), comprised of homicide detectives, have begun their investigation. The detectives have secured the weapons of the officers involved in the incident, they have interviewed the officers and several eyewitnesses, and they will review body-worn camera videos taken by officers at the scene. That videos will not be released at this time as they are part of the on-going investigation.

Once completed, the final FIT report will be presented to Chief Durham and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Original Post 7/25 12:23 PM:NBC12 has the details and we’ll update with RPD statement once they release it:

Richmond Police shot and killed a man Tuesday morning who refused to drop the weapons he was holding.

Police Chief Alfred Durham says they encountered the suspect, holding a knife and an ax, in the area of 3rd and Main Streets just before 10 a.m.

Durham says police used a Taser on the suspect, but he still did not drop his weapons.

Richmond Police then shot the suspect. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead just after 10:30 a.m.

“I’m shaking right now,” said Tiffany McCoy after witnessing the shooting. She says she saw the suspect “chasing the cops” with an ax.

“He was running after them screaming, and they shot him,” said McCoy.

We have a crew at the scene and will bring you more information as details are made available.