The 2 victims who died after a gunman opened fireplace at a highschool commencement ceremony had been recognized as a lately graduated senior and his stepfather.
Shawn Jackson, 18, had obtained his diploma solely 20 minutes earlier than he was shot and killed beside his stepfather, Lorenzo Smith, 36, police confirmed on Wednesday.
The shooter was recognized as 19-year-old Amari Pollard. He was arraigned on Wednesday morning and charged with two counts of second diploma homicide.
Appearing Richmond Chief of Police Rick Edwards stated the investigation is ongoing, and Pollard might face additional prices sooner or later.
Edwards stated the shooter focused the current graduate. ‘We imagine that two people – Shawn Jackson and Amari Pollard – knew one another,’ the police chief stated.
He additionally dismissed rumors that the taking pictures was the results of a gang dispute. ‘There isn’t any data that we’ve got that they’re gang members,’ Edwards stated.
5 extra folks had been injured within the chaos at Tuesday’s ceremony for Huguenot Excessive Faculty in Richmond, Virginia. Edwards additionally confirmed that one of many injured victims was a nine-year-old lady who was struck by a automotive through the ensuing chaos.
‘She continues to be in non-life-threatening situation with very minor accidents,’ the police chief stated. ‘She is expounded to this household as properly.’
Tameeka Jackson-Smith, the victims’ mom and spouse, later confirmed that the nine-year-old was her daughter. She described the chaos that broke out solely minutes after they left Richmond’s Altria Theater.
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‘He was simply working and taking pictures,’ she stated. ‘I had my daughter beside me and I noticed her get hit by a automotive. My niece virtually obtained hit by a automotive. I used to be making an attempt to seize them.’
At a press convention on Wednesday, Richmond Colleges Superintendent Jason Kamras described assembly Jackson solely moments earlier than his dying.
‘I did not know Shawn, however I shook his hand and wished him congratulations about 20 minutes earlier than he died,’ Kamras stated. ‘I can not shake the picture of him receiving CPR on the bottom, nonetheless in his commencement robe.’
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney promised the group justice for the horrific crime.
‘We imagine there should be accountability for this violence,’ the mayor stated. ‘The person who dedicated this mindless and cowardly act should be prosecuted to the complete extent of the legislation.’
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