Virginia School Shooting: 2 Killed, 7 Injured as Teen Fired Shots at Graduation Ceremony

A tragedy unfolded after a graduation ceremony when a Virginia school shooting outside the Altria Theater claimed the lives of a recent Huguenot High School graduate and their father, according to NBC 12. Five others were injured.

According to the Richmond police, the incident occurred around 5:15 pm as officers assigned to manage security at the theater reported hearing gunshots outside. Traffic detail officers swiftly responded and discovered multiple victims at the scene.

Acting police chief Rick Edwards confirmed that seven individuals were shot. An 18-year-old graduate and their 36-year-old father succumbed to their injuries, while a 31-year-old victim's condition remains critical and life-threatening. Four other males, aged 14, 42, 55, and 58, sustained injuries but are expected to recover, according to Edwards.

Additionally, six individuals suffered non-gunfire-related injuries during the chaotic incident. Three individuals were hospitalized due to anxiety-related issues, two individuals experienced falls, and a 9-year-old child was struck by a vehicle while trying to flee the scene. Fortunately, the young child's injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Authorities have taken a 19-year-old male into custody, whom they believe to be the perpetrator of the shooting. The individual is currently in jail, and it is anticipated that two counts of second-degree murder will be added to the potential charges against him. Commonwealth's Attorney Collette McEachin confirmed that the suspect's arraignment would occur on Wednesday morning.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect, a Virginia teen, may have had a connection to at least one of the victims, according to the police.

Richmond Public Schools reported that the shooting incident occurred near Monroe Park, close to the theater, after the Huguenot High School graduation celebration.

Virginia School Shooting Results in Stampede

Panic and chaos ensued as graduates and attendees were departing the theater, their ears suddenly pierced by approximately 20 gunshots, recounted Jonathan Young, a member of the school board who was present. In a grim turn of events, the shots compelled hundreds of people seeking safety to rush back into the building.

"It turned into a stampede," Young described, capturing the scary scene that unfolded, said Fox News.

The Virginia school shooting left a profound and distressing impact, prompting Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to label it "traumatic." Reflecting on the senseless violence, Mayor Stoney expressed his dismay, questioning the sanctity of such spaces.

"Is nothing sacred anymore? We are committed to bringing those responsible for this heinous act to justice, not just for the affected families but also for the entire city," he affirmed.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin affirmed his office's active monitoring of the "terrible" incident, with state police supporting the Richmond Police Department.

While authorities have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat at Monroe Park, a notable police presence remains to ensure the safety and aid in the investigation.

Virginia School Shooting Prompts Cancellation of Another Graduation and Classes

As a precaution, the school system closed on Wednesday and canceled a separate graduation ceremony scheduled for later that Tuesday, AP reports.

The Virginia School shooting, the latest tragic incident and another addition to the growing list of mass shootings in a country all too familiar with such events, has reignited calls for transformative action.

U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat representing Richmond, emphasized the urgent need to confront the pervasive issue of gun violence.

In a statement, she stated, "The gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis that we must address. We cannot continue to live in fear. We must tackle the underlying causes of gun violence and enact sensible gun safety policies that safeguard our communities."

During interviews with media outlets near the scene, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, an advocate for gun rights, offered a different perspective, asserting that the root of the problem lies not with firearms but with criminals. She emphasized the importance of understanding community dynamics to address the broader issues.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Raw video: Richmond, Virginia graduation shooting leaves five injured - From KHOU 11