Woman shot near Virginia GOP office, police say

A woman was shot on Thursday afternoon in front of the Republican Party of Virginia headquarters in Richmond. Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said the injury is non-life-threatening. He stated that the shooting has no connection to the upcoming midterm elections.

The incident occurred at 1:45 p.m. outside the building at 1114 West Broad Street. Frank Loehr, the party's chief financial officer, was inside working when he heard the gunshots. He told reporters that the victim was speaking with two people at a booth on the sidewalk. The booth was not run by the party. Staffers brought the woman inside the office because she was bleeding.

Loehr said the woman was conscious and moaning in pain. He believed she had been struck in the shoulder. First responders arrived quickly and transported her to a hospital. Edwards said the woman is expected to survive. He described her as an innocent bystander who happened to be on the block.

Police say the shooting started inside a hair salon across the street. A woman in the salon told investigators she fired shots in self-defense. She said a man with whom she had an ongoing dispute had entered the shop. That woman remains in custody.

Edwards said blood at the scene suggests the man inside the business may have been shot as well. He urged the man to turn himself in so he can receive medical care and speak with detectives.

Loehr said he and other staffers were still shaken by the event. He noted that the victim was brought into the office after the gunshots rang out outside.