Tragedy in Richmond: Father Arrested After Daughter Found Fatally Shot in Her Apartment

RICHMOND, VA — A community is reeling after a devastating and deeply disturbing incident unfolded in Richmond, Virginia, over the weekend. A young woman, identified as 22-year-old Alica Elis, was found dead from a gunshot wound in her apartment on Saturday, May 31, and authorities have arrested her father in connection with her death.

The Discovery

Richmond Police responded to a 911 call shortly before noon regarding a report of an armed individual at a residential apartment. Upon arriving at the scene, officers entered the unit and found Alica unresponsive and lying on the floor. Emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene. She had sustained at least one gunshot wound.

The scene quickly became the center of a criminal investigation, and what began as a welfare check escalated into a homicide case with familial ties that have sent shockwaves through the community.

Arrest of Alonzo Elis

Police soon took 55-year-old Alonzo Elis, Alica’s father, into custody at or near the scene. He has since been charged with discharging a firearm within an occupied dwelling and child neglect. Authorities have not yet formally charged him with murder, but the investigation remains active and ongoing. Law enforcement officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges pending forensic analysis and a full review of the incident.

Unanswered Questions

As of now, police have not disclosed a clear motive or detailed the events that led to the shooting. It remains unclear whether the act was intentional or accidental, but the nature of the charges suggests serious negligence or reckless behavior involving a firearm. Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether there was a history of domestic conflict or other factors that may have played a role.

The Richmond Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation, and detectives are calling on anyone with information about the incident — or about the relationship between Alica and her father — to come forward.

Community Shock and Grief

News of the arrest has stunned neighbors and community members who knew the family. Several residents in the apartment complex described Alica as quiet, friendly, and focused on her future. The idea that her life was allegedly cut short at the hands of her own father is a crushing emotional blow to those who knew her.

“This is just heartbreaking. Alica had so much ahead of her,” one neighbor said. “We’re all just in disbelief.”

Domestic Violence and Firearm Safety

This tragic case has also reignited conversations about domestic violence, gun safety, and mental health, especially when it comes to families in distress. Advocates are urging anyone in unsafe household situations to reach out for help before tensions escalate into irreversible outcomes.

The incident adds to a growing list of firearm-related deaths involving family members, a phenomenon that public safety officials warn is often underreported and misunderstood.