Gunshot victim remains in hospital

Published 8:28 pm Monday, September 27, 2010

One of two victims of a Sunday shooting remains in serious condition at a Norfolk hospital.

Richard Edwards was shot in the chest during an incident on Ben Street. Another victim was shot in the arm and has been released from the hospital.

Police have charged Jimmie L. Belcher, 49, of the 200 block of Duke Street, with malicious wounding and firearms charges.

Email newsletter signup

Police were called just before 1 a.m. to the 300 block of Ben Street on reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Edwards suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported via Nightingale air ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The second shooting victim sought help at police headquarters, and was transported to Sentara Obici Hospital.

According to a city press release, Belcher approached officers on Mount Horeb Street and told them he was visiting friends on Ben Street when he was grabbed by two subjects, and that he fired several rounds with his revolver. Belcher said he did not know either of the subjects, but police believe the incident may have been the result of a dispute over a debt that was allegedly owed.

Belcher is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail without bond.