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Police ID gunman who fatally shot trooper at Richmond bus station

James Brown III, 34,  of Aurora, Illinois, opened fire around 2:45 p.m. at the Greyhound bus station in the 2900 block of N. Boulevard, killing 37-year-old Trooper Chad Dermyer, according to State Police.

RICHMOND, Va. (WVEC) -- Police have identified the suspected gunman who fatally shot a Virginia State Trooper and two civilians at a Richmond bus station Thursday.

James Brown III, 34, of Aurora, Illinois, opened fire around 2:45 p.m. at the Greyhound bus station in the 2900 block of N. Boulevard, killing 37-year-old Trooper Chad Dermyer, according to State Police.

Police say James Brown of Aurora, Illinois, shot Trooper Chad P. Dermyer several times at the Greyhound bus station

Trooper Dermyer was among more than a dozen state police troopers participating in drug interdiction training at the bus station. The troopers had completed the classroom instruction and were conducting field practicals at the time of the shooting.

State police say Brown boarded a bus in Raleigh bound for Chicago, with stops in Richmond and D.C.

Surveillance video shows Brown was seated in a terminal before the shooting. As VSP Trooper Dermyer began walking through the terminal, Brown walked out of the restaurant and into the restroom. Brown then exited the bathroom and began walking towards the front entrance of the station when Trooper Dermyer engaged him in brief conversation.

Brown suddenly pulled out a Berreta 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun and opened fire, shooting Dermyer multiple times. Two other troopers in plainclothes returned fire and struck the suspect, according to State Police.

Police found the pistol on Brown along with 143 rounds of unused ammunition.

Authorities say Trooper Dermyer's encounter with Brown was not part of the training.

Brown was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent, also confirmed that Brown had an extensive criminal history in the state of Illinois, which includes numerous illegal drug violations and violent crimes. Flaherty also believes there was no indication of terrorism in this incident.

One of the women who was injured in the shooting was a 21-year-old member of the Binghamton University's track team. The team was en route to a track meet at the College of William and Mary when they made a stop at the Greyhound station in Richmond. She has since been released from the hospital.

A 47-year-old woman from Jacksonville, N.C. also suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Officials say that Trooper Dermyer's police car will be driven down to the VSP Area 46 Office, which is the Chesapeake division on Saturday, April 2.

No motive for Brown's actions have been given, at this time.

The Virginia State Police Association is accepting donations for the Dermyer family. Checks should be addressed to VSPA Emergency Relief Fund and note on the "Memo" line that your donation cites Trooper Dermyer.

Donations can be mailed or dropped off at the address below:

Virginia State Police Association, 6944 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA, 23255.

We will continue to update this story as we learn more information.

FULL COVERAGE: Trooper slain in Richmond bus station shooting

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