Virginia graduation shooting – updates: Richmond school official recounts victim’s heartbreaking last moments
Seven people shot in incident on Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus on Tuesday afternoon, with Shawn Jackson, 18, and his stepfather Lorenzo Smith, 36, dying of their injuries
Amari Pollard, the 19-year-old suspect in the gun attack on a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, was arraigned on Wednesday morning and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, according to the Richmond Police Department (RPD).
Seven people were shot in the incident on Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus on Tuesday afternoon, with Shawn Jackson, 18, and his stepfather Lorenzo Smith, 36, dying of their injuries.
“I didn’t know Shawn, but I shook his hand and wished him congratulations about 20 minutes before he died,” Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras told CNN on Wednesday. “I can’t shake the image of him receiving CPR on the ground, still in his graduation gown.”
The outburst of gunfire caused a stampede as graduates and guests attempted to flee the vicinity, a moment of panic captured in at least one video subsequently posted to Facebook. The Richmond Police Department told The Independent in a statement that detectives have determined the shootings were not a random act but resulted from an ongoing dispute between Mr Pollard and Jackson.
“This should not be happening anywhere,” lamented city mayor Levar Stoney.
“Whether it’s in Richmond, it’s in Virginia, in the United States this should not be happening anywhere. A child should be able to go to their graduation and walk at their graduation and enjoy the accomplishment with their friends and their families.”
‘This should not be happening anywhere’ mayor of Richmond says
Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, Virginia sent his condolences to members of the community affected by the shooting, including victims.
“Is nothing sacred any longer?” Mr Stoney said in a press conference on Tuesday.
“This should not be happening anywhere. Anywhere. Whether it’s in Richmond, it’s in Virginia, in the United States this should not be happening anywhere. A child should be able to go to their graduation and walk at their graduation and enjoy the accomplishment with their friends and their families.”
Mr Stoney added: “We’re going to do anything we can to the individuals who were involved in this to justice.”
He called the gun violence “selfish” and “senseless”.
Suspect in shooting arraigned
The suspect in the Richmond high school graduation school shooting has been identified and arraigned on two counts of second-degree murder.
19-year-old Amari Ty’Jon Pollard was arraigned on Wednesday (7 June) morning according to court records.
In a press conference on Tuesday, acting police chief Rick Edwards said authorities believe he: “knew at least one of the victims”.
Mr Pollard was detained by Virginia Commonwealth University security after trying to flee from the scene on foot, according to police.
As of Tuesday evening, K-9 units were searching for additional firearms or casings but Mr Edwards said police were not searching for additional suspects.
GoFundMe started for victims of shooting
A GoFundMe has been started for the wife and mother of two victims who were shot and killed during the Richmond high school shooting.
Tameeka Jackson-Smith confirmed to NBC News that her husband, 36-year-old Renzo Smith, and her son, 18-year-old Shawn Jackson, were killed during the mass shooting.
In addition, Jackson’s nine-year-old sister was struck by a vehicle and injured as a result of the chaotic crowd that fled from the scene when the shooting began.
According to the GoFundMe, the nine-year-old is now “wheel chair bound.”
“This GoFundMe will serve as assistance for the unexpected expenses, grief counseling, medical bills and financial assistance for the family through this tragic time,” the description of the GoFundMe reads.
The GoFundMe is an official fundraiser, confirmed by a spokesperson for GoFundMe.
WATCH: Press conference featuring police chief, mayor and superintendent
Victims killed are stepfather and son
In a press conference on Wednesday, Richmond Police Department acting chief, Rick Edwards said that the family members killed during the mass shooting on Tuesday were stepfather and son, not father and son.
Mr Edwards identified 18-year-old Shawn Jackson and 36-year-old Lorenzo Smith as the two people shot during the shooting which took place after a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia.
Anti-gun violence activists speak out after shooting
Several anti-gun violence activists have tweeted in response to the Richmond high school graduation shooting, calling for gun control laws.
Fred Guttenberg, an activist who lost his 14-year-old daughter Jamie in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, tweeted, “The truth is, this is the inevitable & predictable result of lies by the gun lobby and embraced by politicians who were supposed to protect us. “
“Our leaders can’t sit by while families are torn apart by gun violence,” Gun Down America tweeted.
Police ask public to submit tips, videos and photos
Richmond Police Department’s interim police chief asked the public to submit any tips or photos they may have to the police department as they continued their investigation into the high school graduation shooting.
Suspect identified as 19-year-old in Richmond high school graduation shooting
The suspect in the Richmond, Virginia high school graduation shooting has been identified as 19-year-old Amari Ty’Jon Pollard.
Mr Pollard was arraigned on Wednesday (7 June) morning in Richmond General District Court on two counts of second-degree murder according to court records from the Office of the Sheriff of the City of Richmond.
Court records did not list an attorney for Mr Pollard but the teenager said he intends to hire one, according to the Associated Press.
He is currently being held without bond and further charges are still pending.
Ariana Baio reports:
Suspect identified as 19-year-old in Richmond high school graduation shooting
Police say suspect and victim had a ‘dispute’ and ‘exchanged words’ before shooting
Richmond Police Department interim chief Rick Edwards said in a press conference on Wednesday that the suspect in the high school graduation shooting had a long-running dispute with one of the victims, 18-year-old Shawn Jackson.
“They knew each other, this was a dispute that we’re hearing took place over the course of over a year,” Mr Edwards said.
The suspect, 19-year-old Amari Ty’Jon Pollard, had apparently attended the graduation before getting into an exchange with Jackson.
Mr Edwards said the two had an interaction in which “words were exchanged” that led to the violent attack.
“I wouldn’t say [Mr Pollard] was waiting for [Jackson]. I think there was an interaction and then it appears the suspect went to his car to retrieve the gun and return,” Mr Edwards said.