A late-night shooting at a West End apartment complex led Henrico police straight to 22-year-old David Chavez Penaloza. Within hours of a man being found dead in a parking lot, officers had Penaloza in handcuffs.
The incident started around 3 a.m. Sunday in the 00 block of Craighill Road. 911 dispatchers received urgent calls reporting gunfire at the Hunters Ridge Apartments. Patrol units rushed to the scene to secure the area and look for victims.
When officers stepped into the parking lot, they found 21-year-old Jesus Ugalde suffering from severe trauma. Medical personnel attempted aid, but Ugalde died at the scene. Police immediately turned the parking area into an active crime scene.
Detectives got to work right away asking questions and checking for physical evidence. They managed to get a description of the vehicle used to leave the parking lot right after the gunfire stopped. That vehicle description gave patrol units a direct lead to follow.
Henrico officers spotted the suspect car later that morning. They stopped the vehicle and took Penaloza into custody without incident. Detectives transported him to police headquarters for questioning regarding his involvement in the shooting.
Penaloza was officially charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Authorities revealed that Penaloza and Ugalde were acquainted prior to the shooting.
Investigators have not released details about what argument or interaction happened right before the trigger was pulled. The motive remains under investigation as police continue talking to potential witnesses.
Penaloza remains in custody as the legal process begins. Meanwhile, local detectives are asking anyone with extra information about the Craighill Road shooting to step forward and contact Henrico police.
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