A Virginia man suspected of killing his newlywed wife was himself shot by police and died later Friday night at a Richmond hospital.
James Talbert III, 63, allegedly shot and killed his wife, 55-year-old Peace Talbert, Friday morning in their South Richmond home.
Police were called to the scene at about 10:40 a.m., according to WTVR, and found the woman with multiple gunshot wounds inside. She was rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Sources told WTVR that Talbert’s daughter told police her father was headed to the north side of town with his gun. About 30 minutes after the initial response, officers in North Richmond spotted Talbert outside his vehicle.
Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards said that the officers opened fire on Talbert “within a second or two” of getting out of their patrol vehicle, WRIC reported. They rendered aid to him until emergency services arrived, but he died at a hospital Friday night.
Edwards said the officers are on administrative leave pending an investigation but didn’t say why they opened fire so quickly. WTVR, however, said that sources told them Talbert pointed his gun at the officers.
The station also spoke with Talbert’s sister, Darlene Castro, who told them he called her after he left his home and told her he’d shot his wife.
“They just got married a month ago,” she said, adding that their relationship was already on the rocks.
“He killed Peace and then he’d kill himself. He was going to sit down and wait for the police to come,” Castro said. “And he would shoot at the police because he knew the police would shoot back — and he hoped that the police would kill him.”
WTVR said that Talbert was released from prison five years ago after serving 18 years for second degree murder.
Edwards said that investigators are looking at body camera footage from the two officers who shot Talbert and would release more information when they good, WRIC said.
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