On Sunday, a 57-year-old woman was fatally struck by what authorities believe was random gunfire in the Gilpin Court public housing community. The victim, Carmella D. Winston of Henrico County, was struck by a bullet that shattered the windshield of a car she was riding in with her mother and three children.

In the frenzy of the moment, Winston’s 8-year-old nephew stayed calm. He shielded his 6-year-old sister and 4-year-old cousin from the falling glass while coaching his hysterical grandmother, who was driving the car, to pull around the corner to safety.

Acting Chief English said police need more witnesses to step forward with information.

“We need as many eyes and ears as we can get out there,” English said.

Speaking about the Gilpin Court shooting specifically, English said Winston was shot in broad daylight. “We’re sure that people were out,” he said. “Those are the ones we need to come forward.”

In many cases, neither the victim nor the suspect lived near where they were killed. But oftentimes, English said, they hung out there.

Twenty of the 50 homicides have been cleared, according to police. In nearly every case, a person charged lived more than 3 miles from the crime scene.