Residents Report Intense Exchange of Gunfire in North Highland Park; 911 Lines Jammed

By Billy Briefman · March 13, 2026 · 3 min read read

Tags: Public Safety, 911, Crime, Gun Violence

Update March 13, 2026: One man is in custody and three people were detained following a shootout Tuesday evening near Ann Hardy Plaza in Richmond's North Highland Park neighborhood, according to CBS 6/WTVR and court documents.

One man is in custody and three people were detained following a shootout Tuesday evening near Ann Hardy Plaza in Richmond's North Highland Park neighborhood, according to CBS 6/WTVR and court documents.

Richmond and Henrico officers responded to the park just after 8:30 p.m. after shots were fired at a large group gathered there. Witnesses reported that individuals fired at people on foot and in vehicles. Many fled before police arrived.

Officers arrested Tyrell Higgins Jr., 20, of Henrico. According to court documents, Higgins attempted to drive away with his headlights off, struck a parked car, then fled on foot carrying an AR-style rifle before officers detained him. The vehicle he was driving was stolen. Higgins is facing charges including grand larceny of a vehicle, hit and run, and reckless handling of a firearm.

Nearby resident Elizabeth Whitby, who has lived in the area since 2012, told CBS 6 she had never experienced anything like it. "Last night was so out of the ordinary," she said, estimating she heard between 50 and 60 shots. "It was so close that I was like, are we going to have a random gunshot through the house?"

Whitby also raised concern for children who regularly use the park. "It's a city park and there's multiple children that play there," she said.

No injuries were reported. Neighbor Michael Mayhew, a longtime Northside resident, called that a blessing. "Nobody got hurt," he told CBS 6. "It's a nice neighborhood, a good neighborhood — but every so often, things happen."

The Richmond Police Department did not respond to Channel RVA's request for comment.

Update — March 11, 2026, 11:45 p.m.: Channel RVA made direct contact with the Richmond Police Department and was awaiting a statement from the watch commander. No official details had been released at that time.

Original report — March 10, 2026

North Highland Park residents were jolted Tuesday evening by what at least one neighbor described as a prolonged, two-sided gunfight — a level of violence that shook even long-tenured members of the community.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., a user identified as a Highland Park resident posted to the r/rva subreddit describing an alarming scene: "Must have been 20-30 rounds of loud booming gunfire and then return gunfire. Told my wife to get on the ground." The poster, a seven-year neighborhood resident, also reported being on hold with 911 for five minutes without reaching a dispatcher.

A Neighborhood With a History of Gun Violence

North Highland Park has seen recurring episodes of serious gun violence in recent years. In June 2024, CBS 6/WTVR reported that neighbors described shootings becoming "constant," with one resident recounting watching a suspect fire 20 to 25 rounds while fleeing in a getaway car. Residents said at the time they had written to the city council and the mayor's office with little response — though Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards did meet with some of them directly.

The RPD has operated with a staffing shortfall of more than 100 officers, a deficit residents and officials alike have cited as a factor in response times and crime deterrence.

The 911 Hold Problem

The report of a five-minute 911 hold during an active shooting situation echoes concerns that have surfaced repeatedly in Richmond's public safety discussions. Whether Tuesday's hold time reflected call volume, staffing, or a technical issue remains unconfirmed. Channel RVA is seeking information from the Richmond Department of Emergency Communications.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the Richmond Police Department's non-emergency line at (804) 646-5100 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

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