UPDATE: Motorist shot in Richmond traffic stop identified

By: Joe Macenka | Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: April 22, 2009

Police from the city of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University shot and wounded a motorist early this morning after the driver charged at officers with a knife during a traffic stop, authorities said.

The motorist was identified this afternoon as Nathan Randolph, 55, of Richmond. Police said Randolph, hospitalized at VCU Medical Center, was charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer.

Authorities said Randolph advanced aggressively at two officers as backup units arrived to assist the Richmond officer during a 2:27 a.m. traffic stop in the 800 block of West Broad Street, in the heart of VCU's main academic campus. The officer had pulled over a Chrysler sedan that was eastbound on Broad at the Laurel Street intersection, Richmond Sgt. Ron Brown said.

John M. Bennett, VCU's senior vice president for finance and administration, said campus officers were among those to respond after Randolph became uncooperative and the Richmond officer requested backup.

Randolph got out of his car against police orders and moved toward officers while wielding a knife, and one Richmond officer and one VCU officer opened fire, striking the driver, Bennett said. Brown said Randolph ignored several commands to drop what was described as a large knife before the officers opened fire.

"Despite these commands, Randolph aggressively advanced toward the officers with the knife, and was shot several times," Brown said.

Neither officer was injured, Bennett said.

Neither Bennett nor Brown said how many shots were fired.

Broad Street from Belvidere Street to Shafer Street in both directions was closed until 7:30 a.m., and police used yellow crime-scene tape to close off the area as they investigated.

Police called for flatbed wreckers to tow away a number of vehicles, including the Chrysler as well as several police cruisers.

Brown said the Richmond officers involved have been placed on administrative leave while the case is investigated by the department and the office of Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael N. Herring. The lone VCU officer involved in the shooting has been assigned to desk duty pending the outcome of the investigation, the school said.