Richmond's Carytown & Museum District news events in Richmond Virginia

Awesomer than The Fan.

google
yahoo
bing

March 27, 2008

Man murdered near Byrd Park tennis courts

Posted by Sam @ 7:15 am |

24 Comments.

March 27, 2008

To the University and VCU Health System Communities:

It is with great sadness that I inform the university community of the tragic death this morning of a VCU student.

Richmond Police report that at 1:00 a.m. this morning Tyler J. Binsted, a 19-year old VCU student from Mount Jackson, Virginia, was shot and killed after an apparent robbery. Police say that Mr. Binsted and a female friend were walking in Byrd Park — about 2.5 miles west of the Monroe Park Campus — when they were approached by two young African American males, one of whom had a gun. Mr. Binsted and his friend were robbed of the keys to their car. As the victims were walking away, Mr. Binsted was fatally shot in the back. Police say the suspects fled in Mr. Binsted’s car, a navy blue Honda Accord with Virginia license plate PHA 787. A broadcast alert has been issued for the vehicle.

I am sure you join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to Tyler’s family and friends in this time of great loss. The VCU Counseling Center has been alerted and its services are available to anyone who needs assistance in dealing with this tragic event.

Please be assured that VCU will do everything it can to be sure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted. We will keep the community informed of significant events as they unfold.

Sincerely,

Eugene P. Trani
President, Virginia Commonwealth University

Turtle @ March 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am
It seems that the victim was a VCU student.

The following is an excerpt from the email we received from Eugene Trani (president of VCU) this morning.

“Richmond Police report that at 1:00 a.m. this morning Tyler J. Binsted, a
19-year old VCU student from Mount Jackson, Virginia, was shot and killed
after an apparent robbery. Police say that Mr. Binsted and a female friend
were walking in Byrd Park — about 2.5 miles west of the Monroe Park Campus
– when they were approached by two young African American males, one of
whom had a gun. Mr. Binsted and his friend were robbed of the keys to their
car. As the victims were walking away, Mr. Binsted was fatally shot in the
back. Police say the suspects fled in Mr. Binsted’s car, a navy blue Honda
Accord with Virginia license plate PHA 787. A broadcast alert has been
issued for the vehicle.”

Rebecca @ March 27th, 2008 at 8:22 am
FROM http://www.vcu.edu/alert/

“Fatal Shooting in Byrd Park

March 27, 2008

To the University and VCU Health System Communities:

It is with great sadness that I inform the university community of the tragic death this morning of a VCU student.

Richmond Police report that at 1:00 a.m. this morning Tyler J. Binsted, a 19-year old VCU student from Mount Jackson, Virginia, was shot and killed after an apparent robbery. Police say that Mr. Binsted and a female friend were walking in Byrd Park — about 2.5 miles west of the Monroe Park Campus — when they were approached by two young African American males, one of whom had a gun. Mr. Binsted and his friend were robbed of the keys to their car. As the victims were walking away, Mr. Binsted was fatally shot in the back. Police say the suspects fled in Mr. Binsted’s car, a navy blue Honda Accord with Virginia license plate PHA 787. A broadcast alert has been issued for the vehicle.

I am sure you join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to Tyler’s family and friends in this time of great loss. The VCU Counseling Center has been alerted and its services are available to anyone who needs assistance in dealing with this tragic event.

Please be assured that VCU will do everything it can to be sure that those responsible are apprehended and prosecuted. We will keep the community informed of significant events as they unfold.

Sincerely,

Eugene P. Trani
President, Virginia Commonwealth University
and
President and Chair, VCU Health System”

—

This makes me a lot more weary to walk around ANYWHERE in Richmond after sundown. You just don’t know who is out roaming the streets. Especially anywhere near VCU, you have to deal with homeless people and other sketchy characters. My girlfriend’s car was broken into a few months ago at Boulevard and Park. From this and other incidents, I’ve learned that in Richmond you always need to be on guard against muggers, thieves, and apparently murderers. Hopefully those involved are brought to justice. The community, especially students, should be educated more intensely on staying safe in our area. From what I understand, Richmond is becoming much safer, but events like this make me weary of such claims.

Jeff @ March 27th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Here’s a little more info from VCU:

http://www.vcu.edu/alert/

Valerie @ March 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Murder statistics mentioned for Museum District not accurate. There have been other murders in the area since January 2005 such as the shooting/murder of Michael Dobbs in Feb. ‘06 near the intersection of Auburn Ave and Main Street.

Samantha @ March 27th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
nbc12.com Arrest in murder of VCU student in Byrd Park:

ichmond Police made an arrest in the overnight murder of a VCU student. Howard Scott, III, 17, is charged with murder and robbery in the shooting of Tyler Binsted, 19. Binsted was killed while walking near Richmond’s Byrd Park early Thursday morning.

Police are also looking for a second suspect. Investigators say the other person is between the ages of 13 and 15. He may use the nickname, “Pete,” and frequent the Bellmeade apartment area.

john m @ March 27th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
What a good nickname.

Ross @ March 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
The Michael Dobbs murder is still unsolved…

http://www.richmondgov.com/police/Crime_Stoppers/2007/crimeweek_11_26_07.aspx

Sam @ March 28th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Were are the police? It seems that Sheppard is becoming a corridor of crimes.

Nov 22, 2007 Sheppard & Grayland Narcotic
Mar 17, 2007 Sheppard & 195 Narcotic
Mar 21, 2007 Sheppard & Idlewood Narcotic
Mar 27, 2007 Sheppard & 195 MURDER

One shouldn’t be able to walk up and down Sheppard without falling over the police.

Reading Rants & Raves on Craigslist.org, there seems to be a lot of outrage when a black person kills a white, there seems to be a lot of outrage. Where is the outrage when black on black murders happen?

Gary @ March 28th, 2008 at 11:27 am
On, and while I am at it, does anyone know of a plan to address the rash of graffiti? Who is responsible for covering the graffiti?

Gary @ March 28th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Gary, any citizen can report grafitti for removal, and should be sncouraged to do so, though to report it to the police you must be the renter or property owner.

here’s how it works…

Graffiti Reporting:
Graffiti reporting is a two part process involving enforcement and removal.

Graffiti Enforcement:
If you are the property owner or renter and you are the victim of Graffiti , you are encouraged to file a report by calling one of the following:

Non-Emergency: 646-5100
3rd Precinct: 646-1412, 646-1211
Graffiti Hotline: 646-1406

The report may be filed over the phone. Any suspect information is best provided directly to the precinct (license plate, photograph). The benefit of reporting the Graffiti prior to its removal is that it can be documented and used as evidence. The Graffiti enforcement process does not include the coordination of removal of Graffiti , which is the burden of the resident (details below).

Graffiti Removal:
The fastest deterrent to Graffiti is to get it removed as quickly as possible. According to city code it is compulsory to remove Graffiti visible from the public right of way. Though the burden of removal is on the resident, any resident can contact the city for Graffiti removal regardless of the disposition of the property.

To enter a request for Graffiti removal, call 311 or go on line to richmondgov.com to enter a Citizen’s Request. Reporting Graffiti for removal does not include the notification of law enforcement outlined above.

Unless the surface is one that can be easily damaged or is risky to get to,the graffiti will likely be removed by DPW on receipt of the entered request. Otherwise, the property owner must first fill out a “Graffiti Removal Release of Liability” form which releases the City of liability for damage to the surface. This form can be filled out by a property owner in advance to be kept on file with the city so that in the event that property suffers Graffiti damage, the City can immediately act on its removal. This form is available on the City’s website at http://www.richmondgov.com/forms/GraffitiRemoval.aspx and must simply be mailed in the the address provided on the website in order to be filed and available for use.

Fiona @ March 28th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I noticed this morning that the graffiti by the Coppola’s deli/parking deck corner is out of control with inelegant tags. looks atrocious.

chase @ March 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Perhaps Shelley will place the graffiti tidbit in the Carytown South newsletter.

Gary @ March 28th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Graffiti? Really?? We’re talking about graffiti in the comments on a murder?

Really???

Justin @ March 30th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Broken Windows Theory – Wilson & Kelling, believe it or not, graffiti is relevant

Gary @ March 30th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Thanks, Justin, for the reality check. The topic of the death of Mr. Binsted is certainly worth all of our focus and reflection as is the senseless murder of any individual.

It is unspeakably tragic that Mr. Binsted lost his life this week and that his friend will have the grief of that night to bare. Likewise, their families and those of the perpetrators will now life a life to manage somehow in the shadow of the events of the 27th.

Graffiti should have been another string. That is was not was oversight, not apathy.

Apologies.

Fiona @ March 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I too, wonder about the police enforcement at Byrd Park. As a new resident to Richmond who can look at the site of the murder from her apartment (and heard the gunshot) it alarms me that I can be pulled over by a cop at 7:30a because I am walking my dog, but they can’t seem to be patrolling at 1:00a when a murder occurs? I’ve heard several nights worth of gun shoot outs, arguments at the lake and have also witnessed drug deals and a prostitution exchange. I’m not out late, this is at 10 or 11pm when I’m returning from work.

How is it that Richmond officials proclaim a crime drop?? I love this city, but refuse to be backed out of the place I love, with its conveniences and beautiful scenery because my parents are too afraid for me to be here.

Annie @ March 30th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Broken Windows Theory, while having some importance regarding disorder in a community, is not a good explanation of murder or other serious crime, though it is relevant regarding how people feel about their community (i.e. fear of crime). So yes, clean up the graffiti, exert some community control over disorder, which can improve a community but it doesn’t mean crime will go down.

Sorry Gary, that’s a fact.

rj @ March 31st, 2008 at 12:23 am
It is curious that the tennis courts area between Boulevard and Sheppard at WBP is no longer lit at night (that I have noticed). I would argue that Byrd Park is no more dangerous than any urban park in any urban area but I would have imagined that good lighting would be a deterrent to crime. Hypothetically, as an officer or a resident of nearby blocks, I would think the prefference would be to deal with late night calls for tennis players disturbing the peace than to work the scene of a violent crime.

Additionally, patrol does not mean 24 hour surveillance. A possible solution could be publicized cameras at park structures which could be an option in addition to the patrols. This might make it consistently less convenient to commit crimes in that area. The 5th District (surrounds Byrd park) council person might be a good place to start coordinating grant money to fund such a project.

now the soap box:
The argument that the average citizen can impact crime most by prevention is without argument in my opinion, however when crimes do occur, the community must be a part of the policing process. Provide some feedback.

Residents witnessing a crime should be reporting them. Emergencies should always be reported to 911. Richmond Non-Emergency number is 646-5100.

WOTB and Byrd Park are in Sector 311, and Lt. El-Amin, is the Sector Lt. in charge of the area. I have always found her, and the other precinct Lieutenants and Sergeants, to be very approachable and interested in community feedback. 3rd Precinct can be reached at 646-1412 or 646-1211.

Fiona @ March 31st, 2008 at 9:14 am
@Fiona — I think that Parks and Rec do not turn the lights on at night in city parks until sometime in April. This is a huge bummer because I’ve wanted to play some football at night since, like, October.

Ross @ March 31st, 2008 at 9:35 am
The “Broken Windows” theory is indeed relevant and is a critical component of any effort by a city or police force to get crime, including murder, under control. It matters, unless you subscribe to the theory that being poor and underprivileged makes you unable to control your urge to shoot someone in the back after stealing their car.

A great real-life example would be Rudy Guiliani and the city of New York. Some research on that would be enlightening.

Jack @ April 1st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
@Ross— I would be interested to know the decision making process involved for Parks and Rec to determine not to turn the lights on at night in city parks in the winter months. I would assume it was a cost saving measure, but possibly there is more to it.

I know there was a huge back and forth at one point at the little Grayland Tot Lot about lighting at night, the argument of some was that the lighting at night encouraged people to be in the park after dark when it was technically closed, thereby encouraging misdeeds among idle folks in the park at night (noise, pot smoking, alcohol, litter, roughhousing/minor assaults, though mostly noise and pot at that time). Some argued that the park was “safer” at night if left unlit as it made it less inviting. Sounds like a crapshoot to me.

Fiona @ April 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 am
Yeah you probably don’t want people playing basketball at midnight behind your house. NOT THAT I HAVE EVER DONE THIS.

But still, in a big open place like Byrd Park you’d think the more lights the better.

Ross @ April 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Another defendant pleas…

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-09-09-0188.html

The comments on the article are quite interesting. My main concern is, will the punishments delivered deter this type of crime in the future? 3 life sentences? I sure hope so. If 3 life sentences don’t, I don’t see how the death penalty would.

Sam @ September 9th, 2008 at 9:42 pm