Police Reveal What Led To Shooting Outside Virginia GOP Offices

Updated, 4:48 p.m.

RICHMOND, VA — A woman shot Thursday afternoon outside the Republican Party of Virginia's headquarters in downtown Richmond was an innocent bystander caught in gunfire stemming from a dispute at a nearby hair salon, police said.

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The shooting, which occurred around 1:45 p.m. outside the party's offices at 115 E. Grace St., was unrelated to the upcoming Nov. 3 election, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said.

The woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. She is expected to survive.

According to Edwards, a woman inside a hair salon across the street told investigators that a man with whom she had an ongoing dispute entered the business, prompting her to fire shots in self-defense.

The woman who fired the shots remained in police custody Thursday afternoon.

Investigators believe the man involved in the dispute may also have been shot, based on blood found at the scene. Edwards urged him to come forward for medical treatment and to speak with detectives.

The woman who was injured outside the Republican headquarters was not involved in the dispute, police said. She happened to be on the block when the gunfire erupted.

Frank Loehr, chief financial officer for the Republican Party of Virginia, said he and other staff members were working inside the office when they heard gunshots.

The victim had been speaking with two people operating a booth outside the building when she was struck, Loehr said. The booth was not affiliated with the Republican Party.

After the shooting, the injured woman was brought inside the party's offices, where staff members waited for emergency responders.

Loehr said the woman was conscious and moaning in pain. She appeared to have been shot in the shoulder.

First responders arrived quickly and transported her to a hospital.

"I was shook up, and I'm still a little shook up," Loehr said.

The Republican Party of Virginia initially confirmed the shooting in a statement Thursday, saying a woman had been shot directly outside its headquarters.

Police have since clarified that the gunfire stemmed from a dispute unrelated to the party or the upcoming election.

Authorities had not announced charges or publicly identified the people involved as of Thursday afternoon.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.