18-Year-Old Graduate Among 2 Dead In Richmond Mass Shooting: Police

RICHMOND — An 18-year-old was killed on the day of his high school graduation, according to authorities, who said a 36-year-old man attending the ceremony was also gunned down during the attack Tuesday in Richmond that injured five others. A suspect is in custody.

“This should have been a safe space,” Interim Chief of Police Rick Edwards said at a 9 p.m. press conference streamed live by CBS News. “It’s just incredibly tragic that someone decided to bring a gun to this incident and rain terror on our community.”

The attack occurred shortly after 5 p.m. in Monroe Park outside the Altria Theater following Huguenot High School's graduation, Edwards said during an earlier press conference broadcast by WWBT. Officers responded to the gunfire and found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Edwards, who noted there were hundreds of people in the park at the time of the shooting.

Two people were detained, but only one of them is believed to be involved in the attack, Edwards said, adding authorities plan to charge the 19-year-old with two counts of second-degree murder. Officials have not yet identified the accused shooter.

The suspected gunman fled the scene on foot but was taken into custody nearby after he was initially stopped by security from nearby Virginia Commonwealth University, according to Edwards, who said authorities also recovered four handguns.

Police believe the shooter knew at least one of the victims and do not think the killings were gang-related, Edwards said.

The surviving victims include a 14-year-old boy, a 32-year-old man, a 55-year-old man and a 58-year-old man, all with injuries that are not anticipated to be life-threatening, Edwards said. A 31-year-old was also shot and suffered life-threatening injuries, he said.

In the mayhem, a 9-year-old girl was hit by a car and went to the hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening, according to Edwards, while two people suffered falls and three had anxiety-related medical events.

“This is supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk the stage and get their diploma,” Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said at a press conference, shaken and still wearing his ceremonial gown from the graduation festivities.

“I’m tired of seeing people get shot, our kids get shot, and I beg of the entire community to stop. ... Our kids can’t take it, our teachers can’t take it, our families can’t take it anymore.”

The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and state and university police are assisting in the investigation, according to Edwards.

“This is tragic but also traumatic because this is their graduation day," Mayor Levar Stoney said at a press conference, referring to the shooting as "selfish" and "senseless" and vowing to seek justice.

“The question that comes in my mind right now is, is nothing sacred any longer?”

Anyone who may have video of the attack is asked to contact Richmond police. Authorities expect to next update the media Wednesday.

State leaders were quick to address the shooting Tuesday evening.

"My administration continues monitoring the terrible shooting in the heart of Richmond tonight," Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a prepared statement. "State law enforcement are fully supporting the Richmond Police Department as this investigation moves forward."

Sen. Tim Kaine called for action against gun violence.

"My heart breaks to see this horrific tragedy in my hometown," he said in a statement. "I’m sickened that a high school graduation — an occasion that should be joyous — has turned into unimaginable violence. We can’t keep living like this. We’ve got to take action to keep our kids safer."

The Richmond school district said it would reschedule the Thomas Jefferson High School graduation set for Tuesday and close all schools Wednesday.

Counselors for parents and students are available at the ChildSavers Immediate Response Helpline at 804-305-2420 or the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at 804-819-4100.