Richmond woman sentenced for 2023 Halloween shootout at Waffle House in Henrico

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Dacara Fleming, of Richmond, is to serve one year in jail with four months suspended in connection to a shootout that took place at a Waffle House in Henrico County on Halloween night in 2023.

According to the Henrico County Police Division, on October 31, 2023, police responded to a Waffle House restaurant located within the 5100 block of Williamsburg Road for the report of a shooting. Once on scene, officers determined there was an exchange of gunfire between an employee and a customer.

According to officials, the shooting took place within the occupied business following a verbal argument.

After the initial response to the scene, officers then learned of a patient that walked into an area hospital with a gunshot wound, who matched the description of the customer involved in the incident. The person’s injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to police.

During the investigation, officers determined charges were applicable against the Waffle House employee, Tywanta Sterling Taylor, of Richmond, and he was arrested.

Since the time of the incident, police have also arrested and indicted Keyon Carter along with Fleming, who are both of Richmond, in connection to the shooting.

According to Taylor’s brother, Marcus Taylor, during a previous interview with 8News , Tywanta was an employee of the Waffle House and said a woman walked in and started an argument. The woman then left the restaurant for a while and returned with another man, who began arguing with Tywanta as well.

Marcus said during the interview that Tywanta and the man had exchanged gunfire and that the man was struck in the face.

Tywanta Taylor was charged with malicious wounding, the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and maliciously shooting into an occupied building in connection to the incident.

A jury trial was set for Tywanta Taylor on May 22 and May 23, but he pled guilty to the charge of maliciously shooting into an occupied building. This plea resulted in the other two charges being nolle prossed, or dropped. His case has been continued to August 27 for sentencing.

Carter was also set for a jury trial on May 22 and May 23, but it was rescheduled for August 27. He has been charged with maliciously shooting or throwing a missile within an occupied building.

Fleming was charged with assault and battery, as well as destruction of property. She pled guilty to assault and battery and was sentenced to one year with four months suspended on the condition she takes an anger management class. The charge of destruction of property was dropped.

Fleming is also banned from the Waffle House in Henrico County, as well as any other Waffle House locations.

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