RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The man charged with shooting a police officer in 2022 was found guilty in Richmond Circuit Court on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Following a two-day bench trial, 21-year-old Dakari Reinhardt was found guilty of unlawfully wounding an officer. He was also found guilty of felony possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and felony possession of a firearm while possessing drugs.

During his trial, Reinhardt pleaded not guilty.

On July 25, 2022, the Richmond Police Department reported that 21-year-old Dakari Reinhardt had been involved in a shootout with officers. Police said Reinhardt had been speeding on Ninth Street in Manchester when he crashed and exchanged gunfire with an officer while running away.

Reinhardt — who had multiple warrants in Chesterfield, Richmond and Henrico — was shot and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The officer involved in the shooting had non-life-threatening injuries.

On Aug. 15, Reinhardt was arraigned via video call from his hospital bed at VCU Medical Center, where he was informed of the charges brought against him in connection with the incident:

  • Aggravated malicious wounding
  • Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony
  • Possession with intent to distribute a schedule I/II drug
  • Firearm display while selling a schedule I/II drug
  • Hit and run with damage

According to the Virginia Judicial Database, all his charges were dropped on Dec. 15, 2022.

However, less than two weeks later, Reinhardt was arrested again. According to the Virginia Judicial Database, he was charged with the following for an incident that occurred on Dec. 28, 2022:

  • Using a machine gun for an aggressive purpose
  • Carrying a concealed weapon, second offense
  • Possession of a schedule I/II drug
  • Possession of a firearm with a schedule I/II drug

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, Reinhardt pleaded guilty to all charges, except for the use of a machine gun for aggressive purposes charge, which was dismissed.

For the concealed weapon charge, Reinhardt was sentenced to five years with five years suspended. For the drug possession charge, he was sentenced to five years with four years and six months suspended. For the firearm possession charge, he was sentenced to five years with five years suspended.

On Jan. 11, 2023, Reinhardt received new charges related to the July 25, 2022, incident for which he was convicted this week.

Reinhardt will be sentenced by the court on Jan. 5, 2024.