RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Virginia State Police confirm that a trooper has died from his injuries in the Greyhound Station shooting in Richmond.
Police announced that Trooper Chad Dermyer passed away from his injuries.
The suspect in the shooting died at the hospital after troopers returned fire.
Spokeswoman Corinne Geller says a suspect opened fire on an officer at the Greyhound station on North Boulevard on Thursday around 2:45 p.m. Two nearby troopers then shot the suspect, who died after being transported to VCU Medical Center. Two other women were shot and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
One of the two injured is a female track team member for Binghamton University, the athletics department confirmed. She was on her way to a track meet at William & Mary.
Geller would not comment on why State Police troopers were at the bus station.
Brendan Hamilton was chillingly close to the shooting.
"I had my hand on the door handle," said Hamilton. "I heard two gun shots go off … I did not think they were gunshots, but then there were five, maybe 10 more after that, and I could see the muzzle flash through the tinted door."
Reva Trammell, Richmond City councilwoman, was at the scene hugging a State Police trooper.
"This is one of the saddest days in Richmond, Virginia that I have ever witnessed," said Trammell. "For these troopers to be gunned down like that, and innocent people to be gunned down and shot, and for us to lose a state trooper … what about their families? Their friends? I … I would just never believe this."
Gov. Terry McAuliffe says the state is offering "whatever resources may be necessary to respond to the situation."
"Our public safety team and I will continue to monitor the situation and support State Police and local authorities in their response and investigation of this incident," he said.
Mayor Jones released the following statement:
“Virginia State Police have confirmed that there were four people that were shot during today’s incident. A Virginia State Trooper has sustained life-threatening injuries. The shooting suspect is deceased.
“This is still an active investigation and a very fluid matter. Virginia State Police are going to need time to verify and validate all of the information.
“Richmond Police Department officials are fully engaged and are acting in a supporting role. Governor Terry McAuliffe and I have spoken and are sharing resources and information. We are all heartbroken by this occurrence and our prayers go out to all those that have been affected by this incident.”
The Greyhound station is at 2910 N. Boulevard, directly across the street from The Diamond. The Boulevard was shut down from 2:45 p.m. to just after 5:30 p.m.
Sad. Prayers for the dead Trooper and his family. 