Shooting Suspect Arrested After Threatening Wendy's Staff with Rifle
TL;DR: Chesterfield police arrested a suspect wanted in a Richmond shooting after he threatened staff with a rifle at a Wendy's on Iron Bridge Road.
Quick facts
- Who: DeAndre Gay, 40 years old
- What: Threatened Wendy's staff with a long gun; suspect in Richmond shooting
- When: July 22, 2026
- Where: Wendy's on Iron Bridge Road, Chesterfield County
The story
On July 22, 2026, DeAndre Gay, 40, entered the Wendy's on Iron Bridge Road near Watermark and threatened a manager and another employee with a long gun. Gay claimed a cashier was laughing at him, which prompted the confrontation. Officers responded and followed Gay as he fled the restaurant in a Porsche SUV. Police conducted a traffic stop approximately three miles away near the intersection of Burnt Oak and Ironbridge roads, close to the Richmond city line, where they apprehended him.
Chesterfield police charged Gay with brandishing a weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, and wearing a mask. According to Crime Insider sources, Gay was also wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred on S Street in Richmond's East End on July 7, in which a family member was shot.
The incident had a significant impact on the restaurant's workforce. Several teen employees at the Wendy's resigned in the aftermath of the threatening encounter.
Key players
- DeAndre Gay: Suspect arrested for threatening Wendy's employees with a rifle and wanted in connection with a Richmond shooting
- Chesterfield Police Department: Responding law enforcement that arrested Gay and added charges of brandishing, felon in possession of firearm, and wearing a mask
Why it matters: The arrest removes a suspect wanted in a violent crime from the streets and highlights the risks faced by restaurant workers. The incident underscores how quickly situations can escalate when someone enters an establishment armed and confrontational.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-07-07Richmond shooting: Family member shot on S Street in Richmond's East End; Gay becomes suspect [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/deandre-gay-arrest-richmond-wendys-threat-july-22-2026)
- 2026-07-22Wendy's threat and arrest: Gay threatens staff with rifle at Wendy's on Iron Bridge Road; arrested after police traffic stop near Burnt Oak and Ironbridge roads [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/deandre-gay-arrest-richmond-wendys-threat-july-22-2026)
Related links
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 (YouTube) →
Sources
- Man wanted in Richmond shooting arrested after threatening Wendy's staff with rifle
- Chesterfield County Police News