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.”
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”.
Over $20,000 raised for victims' family via GoFundMe
More than $20,000 have been raised for the family of the victims of the Richmond high school graduation shooting.
Tameeka Jackson-Smith is the wife of 36-year-old Lorenzo Smith and the mother of 18-year-old Shawn Jackson. Both Smith and Jackson were killed during the mass shooting.
A GoFundMe was started to benefit her and the nine-year-old sister of Jackson, who suffered injuries after being struck by a vehicle during the shooting.
“This GoFundMe will serve as assistance for the unexpected expenses, grief counseling, medical bills and financial assistance for the family through this tragic time,” the description of the GoFundMe reads.
The GoFundMe is an official fundraiser, confirmed by a spokesperson for GoFundMe.
Step father and son identified as victims killed in Richmond high school graduation shooting
A high school graduate and his step-father were shot and killed on Tuesday during a shooting that took place after Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia.
Shawn Jackson, 18, and Lorenzo Smith, 36, were identified as the two victims killed.
Ariana Baio reports:
Step father and son identified as victims killed in Richmond high school shooting
Shawn Jackson, 18, and Lorenzo Smith, 36, were killed during a shooting after a high school graduation in Virginia
Facebook video captures moment graduates flee burst of gunfire
The moment gunfire erupted at yesterday’s ceremony, causing hundreds of students and guests to flee in panic, was caught on a video and uploaded to Facebook by one of the event’s attendees.
You can find the clip here should you wish to see it but, be warned, it is distressing.
Police say suspect and victim knew each other and had been disputing
Richmond Police Department interim chief Rick Edwards said in a press conference on Wednesday that the suspect in the high school graduation shooting had a long-running dispute with one of the victims, 18-year-old Shawn Jackson.
“They knew each other, this was a dispute that we’re hearing took place over the course of over a year,” Mr Edwards said.
The suspect, 19-year-old Amari Ty’Jon Pollard, had apparently attended the graduation before getting into an exchange with Jackson.
Mr Edwards said the two had an interaction in which “words were exchanged” that led to the violent attack.
“I wouldn’t say [Mr Pollard] was waiting for [Jackson]. I think there was an interaction and then it appears the suspect went to his car to retrieve the gun and return,” Mr Edwards said.
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:
Who are the two fatal victims?
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.
The violence broke out following an argument between Jackson and the suspect, 19-year-old Amari Pollard.
Over $20,000 raised for victims’ family via GoFundMe
More than $20,000 have been raised for the family of the victims of the Richmond high school graduation shooting.
Tameeka Jackson-Smith is the wife of 36-year-old Lorenzo Smith and the mother of 18-year-old Shawn Jackson. Both Smith and Jackson were killed during the mass shooting.
A GoFundMe was started to benefit her and the nine-year-old sister of Jackson, who suffered injuries after being struck by a vehicle during the shooting.
“This GoFundMe will serve as assistance for the unexpected expenses, grief counseling, medical bills and financial assistance for the family through this tragic time,” the description of the GoFundMe reads.
The GoFundMe is an official fundraiser, confirmed by a spokesperson for GoFundMe.
Alleged teen shooter is in custody
Amari Pollard, 19, of Henrico County, was arraigned on Wednesday morning and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, according to Richmond Police.
Mr Pollard is suspected of being connected to the Richmond high school graduation shooting where seven individuals were shot and two died.
The two deceased victims are 18-year-old Shawn Jackson and his stepfather 36-year-old Lorenzo Smith.
“Detectives have determined the shootings were not a random act but resulted from an ongoing dispute between Pollard and Jackson,” Richmond Police Department told said in a statement to The Independent.
