NEWS BRIEFS
Local gun shop targets NYC's Mayor Bloomberg

A Midlothian gun shop is taunting New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg by holding a gun giveaway. The sign at Bob Moates Sport Shop on Hull Street Road reads, "Ask about the Bloomberg Gun Giveaway," a reference to several federal lawsuits filed late last year by Bloomberg against the gun shop and other dealers in five states.

Since taking office, the Republican mayor has sued 27 out-of-state gun dealers, alleging they sold firearms illegally to undercover investigators who were conducting a sting for New York City. The lawsuits say illegal guns bought at the shops have been used to commit crimes on New York City streets.

Through March, customers who spend $100 at Bob Moates shop are eligible to win a Para-Ordnance handgun worth around $900, courtesy of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights organization. The drawing will be held on Apr. 19. The giveaway is being used to boost sales at the shop, which has had to pay hefty legal fees as it defends itself against Bloomberg's lawsuit.

Bloomberg has reportedly called the giveaway "sick."

Crash kills Richmond police officer

An off-duty Richmond police officer was killed in a fatal motorcycle accident last week in the 18000 block of Genito Road. According to police, Thomas Wade Shook Jr., 35, of the 1000 block of Clayton Road, was traveling westbound on Genito Road on Mar. 19 around 9:15 p.m. on a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle when it ran off the roadway and struck a tree. Shook died at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.

Shook was headed home after enjoying dinner with friends when the crash occurred.

He'd worked for the Richmond Police Department for more than a decade, and was currently serving on the accident investigations team.

Shook left behind a five-year-old daughter.