Hopewell, VA--Police have arrested a man in connection with
the Hopewell hit and run incident which left a woman seriously injured in the
early morning hours of Friday, September 20.
Paul Scott Bass, 52, of Hopewell allegedly displayed and discharged a
firearm in the Jolly Roger parking lot, which police have recovered from the
scene.
It is believed Mr. Bass was under the influence of alcohol
during this incident.
As Bass fired the weapon, a vehicle fleeing the scene struck
a female bystander, who has been identified as 44-year-old Deia Wilkerson of Hopewell.
Wilkerson suffered life-threatening injuries, and remains in
serious condition at VCU
Medical Center.
Bass was also injured, by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to
the hand, as well as minor injuries from the vehicle.
Bass has been charged with attempted malicious wounding, use
of a firearm in the commission of a felony, reckless handling of a firearm, and
discharging a firearm in the city. The driver of the vehicle has not been
charged.
Hopewell Police Chief John Keohane said of the arrest: "Due
to a quick response and initial investigation by patrol officers and a relentless
follow up by detectives, this case was brought to a rapid conclusion;
teamwork was the key."
Hopewell Police continue to investigate this incident, and
ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Sergeant
Camacho of the Hopewell Police Department at (804) 541-2222.
Copyright 2012 by
Young Broadcasting of Richmond
