The startling bang of a gunshot echoed through the upper fan last night after an armed thief attempted to rob a woman on N. Strawberry St. The bullet struck the victim leaving her with non-life threatening injuries.

Moments earlier near the same location on N. Strawberry St a woman was shoved to the ground and robbed of her valuables by the same suspect.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has more on this story: [1]

Powers said the first assault was a purse-snatching that occurred when the victim was confronted on the street and ended with her being knocked to the ground.

A few minutes later and a short distance away, the same suspect is believed to have robbed another woman on the street, shooting her once, Powers said.

The suspect fled on foot from the scene, which is near the Floyd Avenue intersection.

Powers said the initial investigation does not indicate any ties between this morning's robberies and recent attacks in the Fan District.

Read More From The Richmond Times-Dispatch [2]