RICHMOND — A 43-year-old man was fatally shot Wednesday morning, becoming the city’s first homicide of the year and the first since last August, police said.

Authorities identified the victim as Richmond resident Danny Barnes. The shooting happened about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Lancaster Drive and Aberdeen Way, near San Pablo Avenue in the Fairmede-Hilltop area.

Police say it appears to be a targeted shooting: the suspect was driving by, apparently spotted Barnes, stopped the vehicle and opened fire. Barnes died before paramedics could get there.

The killing was the first homicide in Richmond this year, police said. Last year the city had 18 total homicides, the last one on Aug. 22.

It marked the third shooting and second homicide in the area of Aberdeen Way since last Aug. 16, but police said they do not believe they are related.

A man was shot multiple times in the 2400 block of Aberdeen Way on Feb. 28 but survived. No motive or arrests have been announced by police.

On Aug. 16, a 32-year-old man was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting on the same block. Police have not released a motive yet in that killing or announced any arrests.

Authorities say anyone with information can call Det. Orlando Guzman at 510-965-4966, email him at oguzman@richmondpd.net or contact Richmond’s anonymous tip line at 510-307-T1PS (8177).

Source: www.mercurynews.com