2 dead, 1 in custody in shooting outside Virginia graduation
(NewsNation) — Two people are dead, including an 18-year-old, after a shooting outside a Richmond graduation, authorities said.
A school board member reportedly said the shooting happened in the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park area near the Altria Theater.
A suspect is in custody, and police think the suspect knew at least one of the victims.
Officers inside reported hearing gunfire and notified additional officers stationed outside, interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said during a Tuesday evening news conference.
Officers then found seven individuals with gunshot wounds, Edwards said.
During a second news conference, Edwards said two of those individuals, an 18-year-old, and a 36-year-old, have died.
Another victim, a 31-year-old, remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Four others are hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries:
- 14-year-old male
- 32-year-old male
- 55-year-old male
- 58-year-old male
Richmond police are letting families grieve before they release the names of the victims.
During the earlier news conference, Edwards said two people had been taken into custody. He later confirmed one of those individuals, who was armed, is no longer believed to be involved in the shooting.
Huguenot High School was set to hold a graduation at the Altria Theater on campus beginning at 4 p.m. A graduation for students at Thomas Jefferson High School was also scheduled later in that evening. That event was called off.
Richmond police, VCU police, Virginia State police and Henrico police responded to the scene. Authorities insist there is no ongoing threat to the community. The Richmond Police Department is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Richmond police.
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.