At about 3:24 a.m. on Saturday, a routine noise complaint call led officers from the Richmond Police Department to an apartment-complex parking lot at the intersection of West Bacon and Hickory Streets. By the time authorities arrived, the sound of gunshots had already echoed across the lot, and lying next to a parked vehicle was 18-year-old Edguin Zelaya‑Mendez of Alexandria — unresponsive and fatally wounded. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Edguin’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through his hometown and beyond. While details remain limited, detectives say the shooting occurred during what appears to have been a gathering or party in the parking lot, following the earlier noise complaint. The investigation is ongoing, with homicide detectives urging anyone with information to contact Major Crimes Detective K. Hyde at 804-646-3613, Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000, or via the P3 Tips app — all reporting options remain anonymous.
Friends and family recall Edguin as a warm, vibrant young man whose life was full of promise. His passing resonates especially hard because, as those who knew him say, he was just getting started—filled with plans, dreams, and the natural energy of youth. The suddenness of it all — arriving at dawn, in what should have been a quiet moment, ending in violence — has left close ones grappling with grief and disbelief.
Nearby residents of the apartment complex described the early-morning scene as one that had been peaceful until the call for service, with quiet replaced by flashing lights and the gravity of a homicide investigation. While the exact cause and manner of death await official confirmation from the medical examiner, Richmond Police officials have proceeded with standard homicide protocols — canvassing for witnesses, reviewing surveillance, and tracking leads. The victim’s identity and age have been confirmed publicly; no suspects have been announced thus far.
This tragedy underscores not only the personal loss to Edguin’s family and friends—but also the community’s vulnerability to violence even in seemingly ordinary settings. A gathering in a residential parking lot turned fatal, reminding neighbors and young people alike that the consequences of firearms, conflict or chaos can be immediate and irreversible. Local leaders and police hope the public’s assistance will lead to answers, and ultimately some measure of closure.
For Edguin’s loved ones, the focus now is remembrance: remembering his spirit, the connections he made, the warmth he shared, and the quiet hope he carried for the future. While justice may feel far away, the appeal for witnesses is urgent — the community’s cooperation could play a vital role in bringing light to what happened that morning.
In his brief eighteen years, Edguin left a mark. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of many—reminding all of us how fragile life can be, and how a night meant for socializing can end in heartbreak. May his memory serve as a call to vigilance, empathy, and peace.
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