Mass Shooting in Virginia High School Graduation Ceremony leaves 2 Killed & 5 Wounded

On Tuesday, June 6th, two people were killed and five were wounded outside of a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia.

The shooting took place around 5:13 PM in Monroe Park, near Virginia Commonwealth University.

The two victims killed were identified as 18-year-old Shawn Jackson and his 36-year-old stepfather Renzo Smith of Chesterfield County, Richmond. Police said they were transported to a local hospital where they unfortunately passed away on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday, Jackson was set to graduate from Huguenot High School.

Four victims, ages 55, 32, 14, and 58 had injuries that were not considered life-threatening, and are expected to recover, police said.  However, one victim, age 55, is in the hospital in a life-threatening condition.

Several others suffered various injuries in connection with the shooting. Jackson’s 9-year-old sister was hit by a car and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

No police officers were injured or fired their weapons during the incident.

It was stated that the shooter who was identified as Amari Pollard, 19, of Henrico County, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the shooting.

Pollard and Jackson knew each other before the shooting occurred, and had “an ongoing dispute,” police said.

“This incident occurred toward the end of the Huguenot High School graduation and we have canceled the Thomas Jefferson High School graduation scheduled for later tonight. It will be rescheduled soon,” the spokesperson said. “I can’t shake the image of him receiving CPR… still in his graduation gown.”