The Richmond Police Department has released a critical incident briefing video related to the officer-involved shooting on May 7, 2026, per the Department’s core value and commitment to maintaining trust and legitimacy through transparency. 

This critical incident briefing includes 911 call information, video from the body-worn cameras of the two officers who were at the scene, video from apartment cameras and evidence photos.

Chief Rick Edwards pledged to release these CIB videos following fatal incidents of officer-involved shootings.

Once a full investigative report is complete, the report will be submitted to the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney. Following the determination from that office, RPD will conduct an internal policy review. Per department policy, the officer who fired his service weapon is on administrative leave with pay.

The goal of releasing CIB videos is to increase transparency and trust as the Richmond Police Department continues to work with various stakeholders to provide a clear and unbiased account of critical incidents in the community.

The video can be seen on the following platforms:

RPD website: www.rva.gov/police

RPD’s YouTube page: https://youtu.be/LNIc_S-d53Q

 Facebook.com/RichmondPolice

X: @RichmondPolice

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is preparing to launch two new back-office systems designed to improve customer service operations and streamline field service management for utility customers across the city.

Beginning Friday, May 22, DPU will transition to Oracle Customer Cloud Service (CCS) and Oracle Field Service (OFS) as part of Project Synergy, a major modernization initiative that supports the department’s commitment to improving the customer experience and operational efficiency.

The transition marks a significant investment in DPU’s infrastructure and customer service capabilities. The new systems will help improve account management, scheduling, communication between field and office staff, and overall service delivery for water and natural gas customers.

“As we continue modernizing our operations, these systems will help position DPU to better serve our customers both now and in the future,” said Scott Morris, Director of the Department of Public Utilities. “CCS and OFS will provide our teams with better tools, more efficient workflows and improved access to information, ultimately creating easier work flows and a better experience that our customers deserve.”

During the transition period, customers may experience temporary service impacts beginning May 22 and continuing through the Memorial Day weekend. While utility services will not be interrupted, some customer service functions may be temporarily limited as the data is transferred and the new systems are brought online.

Payment Information During the Transition

Customers will still be able to make payments during the transition period as long as they have their account number available. On Friday, May 22, payments may be made online through MyHQ and EZ-PAY. The City of Richmond Department of Finance will also accept check and money order payments on Friday, May 22; however, those payments will be processed beginning Tuesday, May 26, once the new systems are available. New PromisePay enrollments will be unavailable after 3 p.m. on Friday, May 22 and will resume Tuesday, May 26 at 8 a.m.

Potential temporary impacts may include:

• Limited access to current account information by customer service agents 

• Delays in processing certain service requests 

• Limited ability to start or stop service requests during portions of the transition

• Temporary pause in new PromisePay enrollments during the transition period 

• Longer-than-normal wait times for customer assistance

In addition, customers will receive new account numbers as part of the system conversion. However, DPU customer service representatives will still be able to locate customer accounts using previous account numbers during the transition period.

Customers are encouraged to complete any urgent account-related business before May 22 whenever possible.

The transition supports Mayor Danny Avula’s vision of “Richmond: A city where all people and places thrive” by investing in modern systems that strengthen customer service and improve operational reliability for residents.

DPU appreciates the public’s patience during this transition as teams work to implement systems that will provide long-term benefits for customers and employees alike.

For updates and additional information, visit rva.gov/public-utilities/accountupdate or contact DPU Customer Care at 804-646-4646.

About The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities provides natural gas, water, wastewater, stormwater and streetlight services to more than 500,000 customers in the Richmond metropolitan area. DPU is committed to safety, reliability and innovation in delivering essential utility services that support the city’s residents, businesses and environment.

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WHAT:         Richmond Police Department Command Staff Community Walk

WHEN:         5 p.m., TODAY, May 20

WHERE:      The meeting location will be 1100 E. Brookland Park Boulevard

Richmond Police Department command staff and Fourth Precinct officers will walk in Sector 411 with collaborating public safety partners to interact with residents and business owners and offer crime prevention tips. Sector 411 Lieutenant Brian Sheridan and participants will engage residents to better understand their needs and hear their concerns and suggestions for improvements in public safety. 

BACKGROUND:    

This walk is part of a series as the RPD Command Staff walks and talks with residents and business owners throughout the various city precincts, which has been a longstanding tradition of the department. The RPD is committed to cultivating opportunities for open dialogue and building relationships with citizens that extend beyond the response to emergencies.  

On May 20, 2026, the Trust for Public Land has named Richmond’s park system among the top 25 in the nation in its 2026 ParkScore Index, ranking the city No. 24 among park systems serving America’s 100 most populous cities.

The annual report evaluates park systems based on access, investment, amenities, acreage, and equity. In the 2026 ParkScore Index, Richmond earned a score of 65.2 out of 100 across five categories and 15 performance measures. While Richmond moved from No. 16 in 2025 to No. 24 in 2026, the city’s overall score increased by 34 points compared with its 2018 rating.

Richmond’s continued top 25 ranking reflects several key factors, including:

• Increased investment in parks and recreation. The ParkScore Index measures aggregate parks and recreation spending, including volunteer contributions averaged over three years. Richmond’s per-capita investment increased from $186 in the 2025 report to $194 in 2026.
• Expanded park access. More residents now live within a half-mile walk of a park.
• Growth in park acreage and median park size.

“Our city parks are vibrant green spaces and gathering places that reflect the spirit and future of Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “This recognition speaks to the dedication of city staff, community partners, and residents who work together to create parks that foster connection, wellness, and opportunity. Every improvement we make helps ensure our parks remain welcoming spaces where all Richmonders can thrive.”

Richmond saw its largest increase in the Access category, earning a score of 77 out of 100, a three-point increase from 2024. With new community centers now open at Lucks Field, T.B. Smith, and Southside, along with the additions of Mayo Island and Midtown Green, 83% of Richmond residents now live within a 10-minute walk of a publicly accessible park. In the Equity category, the city saw a 20-point decrease from the 2025 score to 67 out of 100. While last year's once-in-a-lifetime addition of Mayo Island and Midtown Green to the City’s park system added 28.8 acres[JO1] [HD2] [JO3] [HD4]  of greenspace that are accessible to all residents living, working, or visiting downtown, due to Park Score’s methodology, these additions impacted the Equity aspect of the ParkScore. Within the individual criteria of the Equity category, the department did see an increase with 82% of residents of color and 85% of low-income residents that live within a 10-minute walk of a park, representing increases of 3% and 1%, respectively, from the previous year’s report.

“Richmond’s continued recognition as a top park system reflects years of investment, collaboration, and community commitment,” said Chris Frelke, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “From expanding access to opening new community centers, we are focused on creating high-quality parks and recreation experiences in every neighborhood. This achievement would not be possible without the support of City leadership, our partners, residents, and the dedicated PRCF team who bring these spaces to life every day.”

As the department prepares for the next Park Score Index submission this fall, the City is also advancing Richmond INSPIRE (Imagining Neighborhood-Shaping Parks and Inclusive Recreation Experiences), Richmond’s first comprehensive parks and recreation planning initiative in decades. Richmond INSPIRE will help guide future investments in park access, amenities, connectivity, equity, and recreational opportunities citywide, which are all key factors measured in the ParkScore Index. Through community-driven planning and long-term investment strategies, the initiative will support the city’s continued progress toward building a more accessible, equitable, and high-quality park system for all residents. The city is also improving coordination across park maintenance, capital projects, land planning, and greenspace development to support future park expansion and investment.

The full 2026 ParkScore Index is available on the Trust for Public Land website. More information about Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is available on the department website and social media channels.

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Location: Richmond Office of Elections – 2134 W. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227

The Richmond Office of Elections building cooling system has been restored, and the office will reopen during regular business hours today.

We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding during this temporary disruption. If you need assistance, please contact our office at (804) 646-5950 or email vote@rva.gov.