Neighbor shaken after unarmed man shot by two Richmond police officers during traffic stop

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A traffic stop took a dangerous turn Thursday night after two Richmond police officers shot an unarmed man.

It happened around 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6 near Mechanicsville Turnpike and Melbourne Street. According to the Richmond Police Department, officers spotted a stolen vehicle and pulled over the driver, who stepped out of the vehicle.

"The subject ignored the officers’ commands, turned his body away from the officers, reached for his waistband and then raised his arms towards the officers," a police spokesperson said.

Two officers then fired their guns, hitting the man. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment and has since stabilized.

The department said its detectives searched both the scene and the vehicle, but did not find a weapon.

8News spoke to LaVerne Carter, who lives just steps away from the scene. She told us she was frightened when she heard the gunshots.

“I heard several gunshots and I immediately got up and dialed 911 to report to them that I had been hearing gunshots -- and I could tell it was very close, because it was loud," Carter said. "So I got a little tense, you know, a little nervous."

The two involved officers have been placed on paid administrative leave with pay.

The Commonwealth's Attorney will also review the case.