Richmond Vape Store Employee Abidine Boye Identified After Fatal Shooting; Police Seek Suspect
RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond police are investigating a deadly shooting inside a vape store on the city’s North Side that claimed the life of 30-year-old Abidine Boye, a Richmond resident and employee of the business.
Police were called to the business in the 4200 block of North Avenue at approximately 5:30 a.m. Saturday after a passerby reported seeing someone down inside the store. Officers arrived and found Boye unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Employee Found Dead Inside Business
Investigators with the Richmond Police Department’s Major Crimes Division responded to the scene and began processing the business for evidence. Detectives remained at the location as they worked to establish what happened and identify the person responsible.
Police have now publicly identified the victim as Abidine Boye, 30.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including a possible motive and the events immediately preceding the killing, have not been fully released by authorities.
Police Release Suspect Image
Investigators have released an image of a possible suspect and are asking members of the public to help identify and locate the individual.
Authorities have warned that the person should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are urged not to approach or confront anyone they believe may be connected to the case. Instead, information should be provided directly to law enforcement.
Investigation Remains Active
Detectives are continuing to gather evidence and review information from the scene as they work to reconstruct the circumstances of the homicide.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in or around the business, particularly during the early-morning hours, to contact investigators. Information about vehicles, people seen near the store, or other potentially relevant observations could assist detectives.
Anyone with information about the homicide or who can help identify the person shown in the released image is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective P. Mansfield at 804-646-6996.
Anonymous information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or through the P3 Tips app. Richmond Police said anonymous Crime Stoppers tips can be submitted without providing identifying information.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as detectives continue working to determine the circumstances of Boye’s death and locate the person sought in connection with the case.
