A gunman opened fire in Monroe Park shortly after a nearby graduation ceremony ended
A student and his stepfather were killed and five others were wounded in a shooting at a high school graduation ceremony in Virginia.
Police identified a 19-year-old suspect as the shooter and said they believe the attack was “targeted.”
A shooting outside the Altria Theater in Richmond sent hundreds of people, many wearing prom dresses, running for safety Tuesday night.
“It was obviously chaos,” said the city’s police chief. “People scattered.”
Renzo Smith, 36, was celebrating his 18-year-old stepson Sean D Jackson’s graduation when the gunman opened fire. Both men were killed.
A nine-year-old girl who is “related to the family” was also hit by a car during the ensuing chaos, police said. She was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The suspect, identified as Omari Pollard, 19, was arraigned and faces two counts of second-degree murder, officials said at a news conference Wednesday. Police believe the shooting was “targeted” and “the result of an ongoing dispute.”
Officers did not fire their weapons when apprehending the suspect and several handguns were recovered at the scene.
Police said all five victims injured in the attack have recovered and are “non-life-threatening”.
“A day that should have been a time of joy and celebration with friends and family was taken away in seconds and lives changed forever,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “Our city, our community will not be defined by this violence.
The gunman opened fire in Monroe Park, which is directly opposite the theater, shortly after the Huguenot High School ceremony ended at around 17:15 (21:15 GMT).
Families and graduates were leaving the theater, which is located near the University of Virginia campus, when at least eight shots rang out.
People ran to escape, some carrying small children and babies, while others sought cover in nearby buildings. Alumni hugged and cried as they gathered after the attack.
In addition to those shot, police said 12 other people were injured in the rush or treated for anxiety due to the chaos.
“This was supposed to be a safe place. People needed to feel safe at graduation,” said Richmond Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards.
“It’s just incredibly tragic that someone decided to bring a gun to this incident and bring terror to our community,” he said.
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said the attack took place on what “should have been a joyous day for our kids to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.”
“I have no more words on this matter, I’m tired of seeing people being shot, our children being shot, and I’m asking the whole community to stop,” he said.