Woman shot outside Virginia GOP headquarters days before midterm elections, party confirms

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: A woman was shot outside the Republican Party of Virginia's headquarters in downtown Richmond on Thursday, October 29, just days before the November 3 midterm elections. Police said the woman was an innocent bystander caught in an unrelated dispute involving two people at a nearby hair salon.

The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. The Virginia GOP confirmed the incident in a statement on X, adding that all party staff members were safe and that there was no indication the shooting was connected to the party's operations.

Woman shot outside Virginia GOP headquarters in Richmond

The shooting took place at around 1:45 pm outside the Obenshain Center, located in the 100 block of East Grace Street in downtown Richmond.

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said investigators learned that a woman inside a hair salon across the street had an ongoing dispute with a man who entered the business. According to Edwards, the woman told investigators that she fired shots in self-defense after the man entered the salon.

However, a woman walking near the business was struck by the gunfire. Police said she was not involved in the dispute and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

The woman who allegedly fired the shots was taken into custody, police confirmed.

Investigators also believe the man involved in the dispute may have been injured during the incident. Police reportedly found blood at the scene, leading them to believe he could have been struck by gunfire.

Chief Edwards urged the man to come forward, receive medical attention and speak with detectives as they continue investigating what happened.

Virginia GOP confirms staff members are safe after shooting

The Republican Party of Virginia addressed the incident in a post on X, confirming that the shooting happened directly outside its headquarters.

The party said first responders arrived within minutes and that all employees inside the Obenshain Center were safe.

"Around 1:45 pm today, a woman was shot immediately in front of The Obenshain Center, the offices of the Republican Party of Virginia. City of Richmond first responders were at the scene within minutes. All Republican Party of Virginia staff are safe," the statement read.

The party also clarified that there was no indication the shooting had anything to do with its activities.

"The proximity of this event notwithstanding, we have no indication that the shooting was related to the operations of the Republican Party of Virginia," the post added.

Richmond shooting takes place days before November 3 midterm elections

The shooting took place less than a week before voters head to the polls for the November 3 midterm elections.

With political activity continuing across the country, the incident occurred at a notable location, although police have said it was not connected to the elections.

The circumstances surrounding the confrontation are still under investigation. Police are also working to establish whether the man involved in the dispute was injured and have urged him to contact investigators.