High school student, 18, and his father, 36, are killed and 5 more are injured after gunman opens fire at a Virginia high school graduation
What was supposed to be an exciting day for students and their families who came out to see them graduate turned out to be a complete nightmare and tragedy.
As we previously reported, gunfire broke out at a Virginia graduation ceremony on Tuesday, injuring several people. The incident took place around 5:13 p.m. in Monroe Park, near Virginia Commonwealth University as a crowd of graduates and their families were filing out of the venue. According to an updated report this Wednesday, it has been confirmed that 5 people were seriously injured while two people sadly lost their lives.
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The victims who were fatally struck have been identified as Huguenot High School graduate Shawn Jackson, 18, and his father, Renzo Smith, 36. ABC News reports that five other people were shot and survived: four adults and a 14-year-old boy, authorities shared. Meanwhile, one victim, a 31-year-old, is currently in the hospital and is said to be in a life-threatening condition. It was also noted that Jackson’s 9-year-old sister was struck by a car during the incident but has been hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Who Is Responsible For The Shooting?
So far, a 19-year-old suspect is in police custody. Court records show that he’s been identified as Amari Ty-Jon Pollard who has been charged with two counts of second-degree in connection with the incident. He will be held without bond until further proceedings. Pollard’s status hearing in court is scheduled for June 21.
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said authorities believe the suspect knew at least one of the shooting victims.
“This should’ve been a safe space. People should have felt safe at a graduation,” Edwards WRIC quotes. “It is tragic that someone decided to bring a gun and reign terror on our community.”
As tragic as this situation is, Edwards noted that there have been a total of 33 deaths in the city of Richmond all due to gun violence so far in 2023.
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