A Tuesday evening shooting at a Richmond, Virginia high school graduation ceremony killed two and injured dozens. Police arrested a 19-year-old male suspect. At a press conference, Richmond Police Department Acting Chief Rick Edwards said the suspect may have known one of the victims.
Officers at the Altria Theater responded immediately to the gunshot, which occurred about 5:15 p.m. Arriving, they found many gunshot victims. Chief Edwards said an 18-year-old and a 36-year-old guy died. The victims’ identities are still unknown. Chief Edwards said one of the four weapons collected was unconnected to the shooting.
Five people were shot but survived, while others were injured in the pandemonium. One person who was hit by a car during the ruckus sought medical assistance at area hospitals, according to Chief Edwards.
Richmond Public Schools spokesperson Matthew Stanley reported that the incident occurred in Monroe Park near the Altria Theater following Huguenot High School’s graduation celebration. The incident canceled another evening ceremony. After the shootings, social media videos showed emergency care professionals performing CPR on a casualty and students still in graduation costumes. Regalia was scattered.
Jonathan Young, a Richmond City School Board member, recalled hearing 20 gunshots after congratulating 300 graduating children. The desperate rush to refuge within the structure ensued. Mr. Young saw several injured people who looked to have been in a stampede when emergency care professionals and police came. He was shocked, then disgusted and angry.
Richmond Public Schools mentioned the Monroe Park shooting after Huguenot High School graduation in an evening statement to family and employees. City public schools will close on Wednesday as a precaution.
Richmond Public Schools superintendent Jason Kamras begged the community to stop the senseless bloodshed. He pleaded for a stop to the shootings, citing the impact on children, teachers, and families.
#BREAKING: Mass shooting at Virginia Commonwealth University's during high school graduation ceremony⁰
#Richmond | #VirginiaCurrently multiple law enforcements are on scene of a mass shooting that took place during a high school graduation ceremony in Monroe Park on the… pic.twitter.com/18sEoB973z
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 6, 2023
