Kyle Reardon Stoner, a 36-year-old White man, was a devoted father, talented artist, and beloved friend in his Richmond, Virginia, community. Originally from Virginia Beach, Stoner had lived in Richmond for over a decade, building a life for himself and his young son, Ashton. He worked as a cook and was also a musician who played piano and guitar. Friends and family described him as a gentle and quiet person who, once you got to know him, was hilarious with a sharp sense of humor. His sister called him "a tremendous father and one of the most gentle people you’d ever meet," and his mother recalled his kindness to everyone, including strangers.
On the evening of July 3, 2022, Stoner was on a date, enjoying the night with friends on the patio of City Dogs, a restaurant in Richmond’s Fan District. At about 10:30 p.m., a man opened fire on the patio. Stoner was shot and killed. A man and a woman were also injured in the shooting but were expected to survive.
The attack was described as a senseless act, as Stoner had no known enemies and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The investigation led to an arrest less than an hour after the shooting. At approximately 11:01 p.m., Virginia State Police took Derrick R. Adjei, a 24-year-old from Alexandria, into custody. The arrest followed a high-speed chase on Interstate 95 that ended when Adjei’s vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle crash. Police recovered a firearm from the car. Adjei was initially charged with malicious wounding, with authorities indicating that other charges were pending.
Adjei ultimately faced 10 felony charges in connection with the shooting. In May 2023, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Evidence presented in court indicated that Adjei and Stoner did not know each other. Following the verdict, a judge allowed Stoner’s parents to deliver victim impact statements, where they spoke about the profound loss their family and the community had suffered. His mother told the court, "This town is deeply impacted by the loss of Kyle."
Following his acquittal, Adjei was committed to a psychiatric hospital. After just over two years in treatment for schizophrenia, a hearing was held to consider his request for conditional release. During the hearing, mental health experts testified that they believed Adjei no longer posed a threat to the community. Prosecutors challenged this assessment, pointing to his history of delusions and the random, violent nature of the shooting. Stoner’s mother voiced her opposition to the release, stating it was "way too soon." As of late 2024, the judge was expected to issue a written ruling on whether Adjei would be released.
