Velda L. Garner—2016 Richmond Homicide #6

Here’s what we know so far.

February 15, 2016; 8:57 PM • by Susan Howson

We’re calling this a homicide because it has been officially termed as such by the Richmond Police Department. Before you tell us we’ve missed one–was it actually a death investigation (often self-defense)? Was it within city limits? Did the person die of wounds received in a different year? All of those deaths do not get officially counted as Richmond homicides for this year.

Victim

Velda L. Garner, 57, of the 2400 block of Burton Street.

Ms. Garner’s obituary ran in the Times-Dispatch:

GARNER, Velda L., departed this life February 3, 2016. Left to cherish her memory are her four children, Eugenia Stewart (Linwood), Shirlnita Allen (Gil), Jerod Crook and Special Garner; nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, three sisters, one aunt, one uncle, one devoted niece, four devoted nephews and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Remains rest at Walter J. Manning Funeral Home, 700 N. 25th St., where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 1 p.m.

Funeral information

Tuesday, February 16th • 1:00 PM
Walter J. Manning Funeral Home, 700 N. 25th Street

The Incident

Where: 2400 block of Burton Street in the East End.
When: Wednesday, February 3rd (the body was found at 6:24 PM but Ms. Garner was shot sometime before 7:57 AM that morning)
Weapon: Gun, one wound.

The Investigation

The police are treating this as the homicide part of a homicide-suicide committed by Richard Burton, 58, of the 1800 block of Heckler Street in Henrico. He found on the 1300 block of E. Cary Street suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It’s not clear if he died on the scene or at the hospital. It was ruled a “death suicide” by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

According to the police, “Investigation of that incident led detectives to conduct a welfare check on Mr. Burton’s girlfriend,” i.e. Velda Garner, who was found shot to death in her residence in Church Hill.

Though those facts have been released, the police are still investigating the incident.

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Got a tip?

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Arcellious Demery at 804.646.5999 or Crime Stoppers at 804.780.1000. Citizens can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637, using the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Or, leave a tip online at www.7801000.com. Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

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View all 2016 homicides here.