Virginia State Trooper shot dead at Richmond bus station

A Virginia State Police trooper has been killed and two women have been injured after a gunman opened fire at a Greyhound bus station in northwest Richmond, state police say. The shooter was shot and killed.

The incident began at 2:45 p.m. ET on Thursday when a man walked up to a trooper during a crime interdiction drill at the Greyhound bus station on North Boulevard. As they spoke outside a restaurant, the man pulled out a gun and opened fire.

The trooper, identified as 37-year-old Chad Dermyer, was rushed to VCU Medical Center in Richmond where he was later pronounced dead. The trooper, who made local news in January when he and a colleague saved a dog, leaves behind a wife and two children.

Other troopers who were in the area when the shooting happened returned fire, striking the suspect who was later pronounced dead at VCU Medical Center. His name was not immediately released and there was no word on his motive.

Two civilians, both adult women, were also shot and were transported to VCU Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. One of those injured was a student-athlete at Binghamton University. It is unclear if they were shot by the gunman or may have been caught in crossfire.

The reports of an active shooter at the bus station prompted a massive response from emergency services, including dozens of Richmond police officers and state police troopers. Witnesses reported hearing as many as a dozen gunshots being fired.

The Virginia State Police is leading the investigation into Thursday’s deadly shooting, though the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also involved. State Police Superintendent W. Steven Flaherty said there are no indications to suggest the shooting was terrorism-related.

“Dorothy and I are heartbroken by the senseless death of Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer, who died serving in the line of duty today in Richmond,” Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said in a statement. “Like so many brave Virginia men and women, Trooper Dermyer put on a uniform and risked his life every day to keep us safe, first as a U.S. Marine and then as a police officer.”