Fatal shooting at high school graduation in Richmond, sources tell Jon Burkett
RICHMOND, Va. -- Two people were killed and at least five other people were shot following Huguenot High School's graduation ceremony outside the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia, Crime Insider sources told Jon Burkett. Two people were taken into police custody after a shooting.
"I've now been told by multiple sources that there 10 victims, five of them are gunshot victims," Burkett reported on CBS 6 News. "The other five are those that were hurt running back inside to the Altria Theater when shots rang out."
Burkett said it did not appear the suspects taken into custody were high school students.
"My sources telling me one of the victims is a 17-year old who was taken to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries," Burkett reported. "I'm also told that one of the injuries, that is not a shooting-related injury, was someone who was hit by a car."
WTVR Fatal shooting outside a high school graduation at the Altria Theater in Richmond, Va.
VCU Police issued an alert Tuesday afternoon about a shooting in or around Monroe Park. The Altria Theater, the site of high school graduation ceremonies for Richmond Public Schools, sits on one end of the park in downtown Richmond on the VCU campus.
"At 5:13 p,m. officers inside the [Altria] reported hearing gunshots outside," Interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said at a 7 p.m. press briefing. "Responding officers on traffic detail found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds."
Richmond Police chief gives update after people shot at high school graduation in Richmond, Va.
"We had a total of seven individuals with gunshot wounds," Edwards confirmed. "Three are considered life-threatening, four are considered non life-threatening."
Edwards also confirmed two people were taken into custody.
"At this point, we do not believe there is a threat ongoing threat to the community," he said. "We are in the very early stages of this investigation."
He said some of the information he provided may change and said there would be a 9 p.m. briefing.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney called the shooting both tragic and traumatic.
"Children were involved here... this is their graduation day," Stoney said. "The question that comes to my mind right now is, is nothing sacred any longer? Is nothing sacred any longer?"
He pledged to bring the individuals responsible for the shooting to justice not just for the families involved, but also the city.
Richmond Mayor gives update after shooting at high school graduation in Richmond
"A child should be able to go to their graduation and walk out the graduation and enjoy the accomplishment with their friends and their families," he said. "It's a selfish act. It's a senseless act. And to me, it's cowardice."
Richmond Public Schools have canceled all activities Tuesday night and school on Wednesday.
"This is supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk the stage and get their diplomas. Which is what they all did here for Huguenot today, and walked out the doors into their families' and friends' arms taking pictures," Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said at the 7 p.m. briefing. "And then this tragedy occurred. I don't have any more words on this. I'm tired of seeing people get shot. Our kids get shot. And I beg of the entire community to stop, to just stop. Our kids can't take it. Our teachers can't take it. Our families can't take it anymore. I beg of you to stop."
Superintendent to community after high school graduation shooting in Richmond: 'Just stop'
Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (R - Virginia) said the gun violence in Richmond was not about law-abiding gun owners, but rather gangs.
"Even if you took all the guns off the street, from the law-abiding citizens, the others who mean harm, who mean to kill and mayhem, they're going to have the guns," she said. "So we have to figure out what's going on in our communities. We have to find the right problem, so that we can come to the right solution."
She said the criminal justice system needed to be tougher on those who commit crimes.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on graduation shooting in Richmond: 'This is not about law-abiding gun owners'
"When do we say enough is enough? When do we say that?" she asked. "How many more people have to die before we say you're going to jail. We're going to lock you up and there's not going to be any bail so that we can have safety in our communities. When does that happen? Who is in charge? Is that the mayor? Is that the chief? Who is that? Let's start naming names."
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
Source: CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR
