High schooler dead after Richmond officers shot at during raid

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A 16-year-old high schooler is dead after Richmond police officers were fired upon while executing a search warrant at the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Wednesday. Authorities believe the teenager shot himself during the raid.
At about 5:46 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20, officers with the Richmond Police Department, as well as units from the department's SWAT Team, attempted to execute a search warrant at the Belt Atlantic Apartments in the 4000 block of Midlothian Turnpike.
This warrant was obtained as part of an investigation into illegal firearms -- "specifically the use of a machine gun for aggressive purposes and [the] possession of auto sear devices or 'switches,'" per police.
Authorities reportedly announced their presence and identified themselves multiple times, saying they had a search warrant. According to police, a woman left the apartment soon after.
The ballistic shield hit by gunfire during the execution of a search warrant at the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Aug. 20. (Photo: Richmond Police Department)
A close-up shot of the ballistic shield hit by gunfire during the execution of a search warrant at the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Aug. 20. (Photo: Richmond Police Department)
Gunshots were then fired from inside the apartment. An officer's ballistic shield was struck by a bullet, damaging it as shown in the pictures above.
Additionally, "a bullet fragment or sharp metal resulting from a bullet pass[ed] through the exterior door frame while the officer was at the door," causing the damage pictured below.
Damage to an exterior doorframe caused during the execution of a search warrant at the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Aug. 20. (Photo: Richmond Police Department)
That object came into contact with the officer. However, they were not injured. Authorities referred to this as an "aggravated assault on an officer." 8News asked for clarification on the nature of that charge and will provide an update when possible.
Police said no officers at the scene fired their weapons during this time.
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An 18-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy then exited the apartment. They reportedly told officers that an injured boy was still inside.
When officers entered the apartment, they found blood under a closed bedroom door. They entered the bedroom and found a 16-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.
"There was no evidence to suggest it was anything other than a self-inflicted wound," police said.
The 16-year-old was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. Police did not share the identity of the teenager. However, Richmond Public Schools said he was a student at Richmond High School for the Arts.
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“The loss of a young life is always tragic, and my deepest condolences go out to the family,” said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards in a press release. “At the same time, I am incredibly grateful that none of our officers were killed or seriously injured when they came under fire yesterday. This incident is a powerful reminder of the danger illegal firearms and these ‘conversion devices’ bring to our community, and the Richmond Police Department will continue working tirelessly to get them off our streets.”
The department's forensics unit collected the bullets fired during this incident, as well as any cartridge casings. The casings are not from an ammunition brand used by Richmond Police, authorities said.
Further, an assault rifle as well as two illegally-modified firearms were recovered from the scene. The modified firearms had auto sears, or "switches" -- which, when equipped, modify a firearm into a "fully automatic 'machine gun-type' firearm," police said.
More than 200 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the scene.
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The 18-year-old and the 13-year-old were both detained as part of the investigation.
No further details are available as of the time of reporting.
If you have any information on this incident, you are asked to contact the Richmond Police Department at 804-646-5324.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.