In a devastating turn of events, an 18-year-old high school graduate and his father were fatally shot on Tuesday after a high school graduation ceremony on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond. The shooting left five others injured, according to the Richmond Police Department.
According to NBC, the victims were identified as Shawn Jackson, the 18-year-old graduate, and Renzo Smith, 36, the father of the young graduate. Tameeka Jackson-Smith, the wife and mother of the victims, confirmed their identities and shared the heartbreaking news of their tragic deaths. United Communities Against Crime, a local organization, also released the names of the father and son on behalf of the grieving family.
19-Year-Old Suspect Detained in Connection with Fatal VCU Shooting
Richmond's interim police chief, Rick Edwards, announced at a news conference that a 19-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was initially taken into custody as a suspect in the shooting. Another person who was detained during the investigation was found to be uninvolved. The suspect faces two counts of second-degree murder, and authorities believe that he had a connection with at least one of the victims.
According to AP News, Renzo Smith had attended the graduation ceremony to celebrate his son's milestone achievement, as stated by Chief Edwards. However, the police had not yet publicly released the names of the victims at the time of reporting.
The five injured victims, all male and ranging in age from 14 to 58, were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment. Among them, a 31-year-old man sustained life-threatening injuries, while the remaining four had injuries deemed not life-threatening, according to the police. In addition to the gunshot victims, nine individuals were treated for anxiety and minor injuries, and two people sought medical attention for falls. Furthermore, a 9-year-old child who was struck by a car during the chaos received initial treatment at the scene and was later taken to the hospital.
Richmond Public Schools Offer Counseling as District Mourns Graduation Day Loss
Mayor Levar M. Stoney expressed his grief, particularly highlighting the involvement of children in this tragic incident that occurred on what was meant to be a joyous graduation day. Stoney emphasized the need to address the ongoing violence and trauma inflicted upon the community, urging an end to such senseless acts.The shooting occurred at Monroe Park, an open space located on the VCU campus, at approximately 5:13 p.m. Four firearms were recovered from the scene, as confirmed by Chief Edwards.
According to ABC, the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School took place at 4 p.m. at the nearby Altria Theater, adjacent to Monroe Park. Richmond Public Schools issued a notice stating that the shooting had occurred in the park following the graduation ceremony. As a result, all district schools would remain closed on Wednesday, and all high school graduation ceremonies scheduled for the week were canceled.
Superintendent Jason Kamras, speaking at a news conference, expressed his deep sadness and frustration at the tragic turn of events. Kamras pleaded with the community to put an end to the violence that affects children, teachers, and families, emphasizing the toll it takes on everyone involved. Virginia Commonwealth University initially alerted the campus community about an "active threat" on campus but later clarified that there was no ongoing threat while maintaining a heavy police presence at Monroe Park.
Virginia Commonwealth President Michael Rao expressed his grief and shock over the shooting, emphasizing that graduations should be occasions of happiness and celebration. As the investigation unfolds, the community mourns the loss of Shawn Jackson and Renzo Smith, and authorities continue their efforts to bring justice to the victims and their grieving families.
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