Ben Dennis, 8News WRIC Richmond

Ben Dennis

8News WRIC Richmond

Richmond, VA, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • 8News WRIC Richmond
  • FOX8 WGHP

Past articles by Ben:

Will Richmond’s gun ‘buyback’ curb violent crime?

An academic study puts a big question mark on whether Richmond City Hall’s plan to buy people’s guns will curb gun violence. → Read More

Urban ONE gives up on 2022 casino vote, looks ahead to 2023

At a community meeting on Richmond’s Southside Thursday evening, Urban ONE CEO Alfred Liggins told community members that the company is no longer supported holding a casino referendum this November. → Read More

Conflicting information mounts in alleged July 4 mass shooting plot

After Richmond prosecutors said Wednesday, Aug. 3, that they had no evidence Dogwood Dell was the specific target of an alleged July 4 mass shooting plot, the police chief told reporters two conflicting statements. → Read More

Unanswered questions remain after 177 people arrested by Richmond police in special operation

Nearly one week after Richmond police said 177 people were arrested in a special operation aimed to curb violence, the department has still not disclosed what charges are associated with the arrests. → Read More

177 people arrested in Richmond during special operation, police say

The Richmond Police Department said officers have arrested 177 people in a special operation that was launched after two boys were gunned down outside a convenience store in November. → Read More

Former Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax claims FBI asked about origin of sexual assault allegations

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax claimed federal investigators questioned him about the origin of sexual assault allegations against him in 2019 — an allegation he shared with 8News. → Read More

Richmond jail has 160 staff vacancies, sheriff says inmate violence grows

Richmond’s sheriff defended strides to address safety measures inside the city jail as concerns from inmate families, former deputies and elected leaders grow following reported assaults. → Read More

WATCH: Powhatan man dodges wrong-way driver for second time in three years

Patrick Quinn and his two teenage sons avoided a potential roadway disaster last week when a driver traveling in the wrong way on Route 60 while entering Powhatan almost collided with their vehicle. → Read More

Hundreds of beagles released from Cumberland breeding facility Envigo arrive in Northern Virginia

Roughly 400 of 4,000 beagles ordered to be released from the Envigo dog breeding facility in Cumberland County arrived in Northern Virginia on Thursday, July 21, following an order from a federal judge. → Read More

Richmond Councilmember: Sheriff should answer to jail inmate assault on deputy

12 days after a female sheriff’s deputy working at the city’s jail was reportedly assaulted by a male inmate, the head of city council’s public safety committee is calling for transparency into the incident. → Read More

Sources: Female sheriff’s deputy assaulted by male inmate in Richmond jail

A female sheriff’s deputy was allegedly assaulted by a male inmate eleven days ago, according to an internal report. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office has not responded to 8News’ repeated requests for comment. → Read More

Tappahannock residents troubled by fire that gutted a city block

After smoke visible from several miles away had faded, the full extent of a Tappahannock city block gutted by flames prompted residents to share their relief no one was hurt. → Read More

Monkeypox lands in Central Virginia, top VCU doctor calls virus ‘public health concern’

The first positive case of monkeypox in Central Virginia was reported Thursday as cases across the Commonwealth and country continue to gradually rise. While the virus does not spread as easily as COVID-19, the potentially serious side effects are prompting state officials to inform the public of its spread and prevention. → Read More

44 people now unaccounted for after Buchanan County flood

After a Tuesday-night flood ravaged the rural Whitewood community in Buchanan, the county sheriff’s office added more people to the list of individuals unaccounted for. → Read More

Parents of 19-year-old killed in double-fatal police-involved crash responds to officer charges

Three months after a young couple was ejected from their car in a Southside crash with a Richmond police cruiser, the parents of one of the victims responded to charges against the officer allegedly connected to the incident. → Read More

Buckingham County community holds prayer vigil for 6-year-old Landon Raber after search

Mere hours after a multi-agency search for Landon Raber was called off, community support was on display during a prayer vigil at an ice cream stand named after the boy. → Read More

Richmond potential mass shooting suspects from Guatemala, AR-15 histories being tracked

The history of two non-United States citizens accused of plotting an Independence Day mass shooting in Richmond is under the microscope, alongside the high-powered rifles and a handgun seized from the Southside home they rented. → Read More

Virginia officials warn of legal action against THC sellers, Richmond business owner pushes back

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced last week they may pursue penalties, including a Class 1 misdemeanor if someone sells “synthetically-derived cannabinoids.” → Read More

‘Red flag’ law unused in Richmond as shootings surge, deaths mount

In a city where at least 104 people have been shot dead over the last year and a half, a potentially life-saving law – now two years old – has not been used once. → Read More

Investigation launched into RPS school bus garage fire: Was there an alarm?

After the sole school bus maintenance facility for Richmond Public Schools was gutted by intense flames, the circumstances surrounding the Monday morning blaze are undetermined. → Read More