Chesterfield Man Accused of Attempted Murder in Business Dispute

TL;DR: A Chesterfield County man is facing attempted murder charges after a business dispute led to a shooting that wounded an innocent bystander on East Grace Street in Richmond on October 29.

The story

Dorian Evans, 34, of Chesterfield County, is facing attempted murder charges after Richmond police say his dispute with a business owner resulted in a shooting that struck an innocent bystander. The incident occurred on October 29 around 1:45 p.m. in the 100 block of East Grace Street in Richmond.

Police say Evans entered the business and brandished a firearm at the owner, an adult female. The owner fired at Evans, causing him to flee. The gunshot struck a woman across the street who was talking with representatives from the Nature Conservancy who had set up a booth on the sidewalk. She was shot in the shoulder and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Police confirmed the shooting was not related to the nearby Republican Party of Virginia headquarters.

The confrontation was rooted in an ongoing dispute between Evans and the business owner. Two days before the shooting, on October 27, Evans was charged with felony destruction of property after he broke windows at the business. The owner had previously told detectives that Evans had threatened her and that she had filed for a protective order against him.

After the October 29 shooting, Evans fled to South Carolina. He was spotted in Horry County but attempted to flee from police during a traffic stop before eventually surrendering. Richmond police arrested him and charged him with attempted murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The business owner is not facing any charges.

Key players

• Dorian Evans: Suspect charged with attempted murder
• Richmond Police Department: Investigating agency and arresting authority

Why it matters: The case highlights the risks of escalating disputes and the danger innocent bystanders face when conflicts turn violent. It underscores the importance of protective orders and law enforcement response to threats.

Places

• East Grace Street

Sources

• Man wanted in Richmond shooting arrested in South Carolina
• Man accused of attempted murder after dispute put innocent bystander in hospital
• Woman shot outside Virginia GOP headquarters in Richmond, party confirms