Virginia graduation shooting – updates: Richmond school official recounts victim’s heartbreaking last moments
Seven people shot in incident on Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus on Tuesday afternoon, with Shawn Jackson, 18, and his stepfather Lorenzo Smith, 36, dying of their injuries
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Amari Pollard, the 19-year-old suspect in the gun attack on a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, was arraigned on Wednesday morning and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, according to the Richmond Police Department (RPD).
Seven people were shot in the incident on Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus on Tuesday afternoon, with Shawn Jackson, 18, and his stepfather Lorenzo Smith, 36, dying of their injuries.
“I didn’t know Shawn, but I shook his hand and wished him congratulations about 20 minutes before he died,” Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras told CNN on Wednesday. “I can’t shake the image of him receiving CPR on the ground, still in his graduation gown.”
The outburst of gunfire caused a stampede as graduates and guests attempted to flee the vicinity, a moment of panic captured in at least one video subsequently posted to Facebook. The Richmond Police Department told The Independent in a statement that detectives have determined the shootings were not a random act but resulted from an ongoing dispute between Mr Pollard and Jackson.
“This should not be happening anywhere,” lamented city mayor Levar Stoney.
“Whether it’s in Richmond, it’s in Virginia, in the United States this should not be happening anywhere. A child should be able to go to their graduation and walk at their graduation and enjoy the accomplishment with their friends and their families.”
Pictures from the scene
This was what the Monroe Park campus looked like on Tuesday afternoon, as people struggled to come to terms with what had taken place on a day intended as a moment for celebration.
Victims named as father and son Renzo Smith and Shawn Jackson
The victims of yesterday’s shooting in Virginia were graduating senior Shawn Jackson, 18, and his father Renzo Smith, 36, who had attended the ceremony as a guest, local media is reporting.
Community advocate Charles Willis, who manages the United Communities Against Crime group, released the victims' names and their photos on behalf of the grieving family.
“The family asked that the Richmond community keep them in your prayers,” Willis said.
‘Our hearts break for those whose lives were lost today’
Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin offered these reflections on the Richmond shooting on Twitter.
‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’
Virginia Democratic congresswoman Jennifer McClellan has offered her condolences to the families in the following statement.
Recap: Two killed and five injured in Richmond high school graduation mass shooting
If you are just joining us, police in Richmond, Virginia, responded on Tuesday to a shooting that took place during a high school graduation ceremony on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Seven people were shot in the incident, leaving three people with life-threatening injuries and four with non-life-threatening injuries, Richmond interim police chief Rick Edwards said during a press conference yesterday evening.
Two people were killed in the shooting, WRIC reports, and children were among those wounded in the incident, according to the outlet.
My colleague Josh Marcus has more.
Two killed and five injured in Richmond high school graduation mass shooting
Seven people were shot in the incident at the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University
‘This is supposed to be a joyous day'
Richmond schools superintendent Jason Kamras had this to say about yesterday’s events.
Father and son identified as victims killed in Richmond high school graduation shooting
Shawn Jackson, 18, and Renzo Smith, 36, were identified as the victims, Jackson’s mother and Smith’s wife, Tameek Jackson-Smith confirmed to NBC News.
Smith was attending his son’s graduation on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus Tuesday evening when the shooting occurred.
The gunfire erupted at Monroe Park, an open space on the campus, around 5.15pm local time.
Ariana Baio reports:
Father and son identified as victims killed in Richmond high school shooting
Father and son were killed while five other people suffered gunshot wounds during a shooting after a high school graduation
Richmond Public Schools high school graduations cancelled
Richmond Public Schools posted a notice to their website, informing students, families and staff that school would be closed on Wednesday 7 June and high school graduations would be cancelled this week.
“RPS schools and offices are closed today, Wednesday, June 7. All high school graduations this week have also been canceled. RPS will share further updates soon about rescheduling commencement ceremonies,” Richmond Public Schools wrote.
They also extended their condolences to the victims and families of the shooting that left two people dead and five others injured and offered resources for people or children who need to speak with a counselor.
“Additionally, the RBHA Mobile Crisis Unit along with other partners will serve as a support to RPS families and staff. Mental Health Support and Counseling services will be available today from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Huguenot Community Center located at 7945 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond Va. 23225.”
279 mass shootings in the US this year
The US has experienced 279 mass shootings as of 7 June, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
So what’s driving the record-breaking surge?
Josh Marcus reports:
What’s driving America’s record-breaking surge in mass shootings?
The causes of the surge are complex, but there are plenty of solutions on the table if policymakers are willing to adopt them, Josh Marcus reports