According to the Richmond Police Department, officers were called to the 1700 block of Richmond Highway at approximately 1:45 p.m. following reports of a person down. Upon arrival, they discovered Butler unresponsive on the sidewalk with apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting prompted a temporary lockdown at nearby Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School as police responded and began searching for the suspected gunman. The precautionary lockdown was later lifted.
Police described the suspect as a Black man in his 30s, approximately 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches tall, wearing a turquoise baseball cap. He was reportedly last seen running east from the shooting location.
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said investigators did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the wider community at the time, although the search for the suspect continued.
Butler’s death has deeply affected people who knew her. A coworker at MCV Hospital, Tomika Forbes, remembered her as a positive person who brought warmth to those around her. Forbes also shared that Butler loved her sons and had a granddaughter.
As detectives continue investigating, authorities are appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact Major Crimes Detective P. Mansfield at 804-646-6996 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.
Erica Butler’s death has left loved ones and colleagues grieving a life lost to gun violence.