Victims identified, suspect in custody after post-graduation shooting in Richmond

Seven people total were shot, second-degree murder charges expected for 19-year-old suspect

RICHMOND, Va.UPDATE

A 19-year-old is facing two counts of second-degree murder in connection with a shooting at a high school graduation Tuesday night, according to NBC12.

Police say the suspect, identified as Amari Ty-Jon Pollard, of Henrico, could have more potential charges brought against him.

Amari Ty-Jon Pollard, of Henrico (Richmond City Jail)

As we reported below, the shooting occurred outside Altria Theater following a graduation ceremony, leaving two dead and five others hurt.

Richmond Police said the five who were injured in the incident were ages 14, 31, 32, 55, and 58 and are expected to recover.

The victims, an 18-year-old who had just graduated and a 36-year-old man, were a stepfather and stepson, and the 9-year-old girl who was hit by a car amid the chaos following the shooting was also related to the family, according to authorities. We’re told the young girl is expected to be ok.

The two victims have been identified as 18-year-old Shawn Jackson and 36-year-old Renzo Smith by a spokesperson for the family.

Police report that Pollard and Jackson knew each other and believe this was a targeted incident, adding that the two had an ongoing dispute.

On Wednesday morning, Pollard was arraigned in court and is set to have a status hearing on June 21 at 9 a.m.

He is currently being held without bond.


UPDATE

Richmond Police have released the ages of the victims in the shooting at a high school graduation on Tuesday night.

The shooting happened at 5:13 p.m. at the Huguenot High School graduation when three off-duty officers were outside directing traffic and they heard gunfire, according to police.

Hundreds scattered from the area, near the VCU campus at Monroe Park. Seven people were shot in total – three who sustained life-threatening injuries, and four who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, police said in an earlier update.

Now, police said two of those victims – an 18-year-old who had just graduated and a 36-year-old man – have passed away from their injuries.

Richmond Police said the other victims were ages 14, 31, 32, 55, and 58.

“This should’ve been a safe space … it’s just incredibly tragic that someone decided to bring a gun to this incident and rain terror on our community,” police said in the conference.

Several other people sustained non-shooting-related injuries, including two people that fell, a 9-year-old girl who was hit by a car, and three others who reported suffering from anxiety.

Two people were taken into custody after the incident happened, as we reported below. Police now say one of those two has been released and was not believed to be involved.

The other – a 19-year-old man – fled the scene on foot and was taken into custody closeby by VCU Security. Police believe he was involved in the incident.

Authorities say they are seeking two charges of second-degree murder against him, among others that are expected to come in the near future.

As for motive – police say they believe the suspect knew at least one of the victims. It was unclear if he was a student, and his identity has not yet been released.

According to police, a total of four firearms were found at the scene. They’re still working to determine which were involved in the incident and which were not, and are still working to determine if they were legally obtained.

Anyone with information, as well as photo or video from the incident, is asked to get in touch with Richmond Police. You can watch the department’s 9 p.m. update in full below.

Governor Youngkin released a statement late Tuesday night after the update was given, expressing his sadness for families in the Commonwealth.

As we struggle to fully comprehend this tragedy, our hearts break for those whose lives were lost today. Tonight, we grieve together for their classmates, our neighbors, and the whole Richmond community.

Posted by Governor of Virginia on Tuesday, June 6, 2023

The Richmond Public School district has since canceled all other high school graduations this week. All RPS schools will be closed on Wednesday, June 7. School officials said counselors are available on the ChildSavers Immediate Response Helpline at (804) 305-2420 or the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100.


UPDATE

Police are providing more information about the shooting that happened at a Richmond high school graduation near the VCU campus on Tuesday evening.

At 5:13 p.m., officers were inside the venue of the Huguenot High School graduation at 6 North Laurel reported hearing gunshots, police said.

Seven people were shot during the incident, according to authorities. Three sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident.

“Children were involved here, at a graduation,” Mayor Levar M. Stoney said. “This is tragic but also traumatic. Because this is their graduation day.”

Three others sustained non-shooting-related injuries, including two people that fell, one who was hit by a car, and three others who reported suffering from anxiety.

Two suspects were taken into custody following the shooting, according to police. Police do not believe that there is an ongoing threat to the community.

According to the district’s website, they have canceled all other high school graduation this week, and all RPS schools will be closed on Wednesday, June 7. School officials say if anyone needs to speak with a counselor, they’re asked to call the ChildSavers Immediate Response Helpline at (804) 305-2420 or the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100.

You can watch the 7 p.m. update from police on the incident below.


ORIGINAL STORY

Police are on the scene near Altria Theater after an active shooter was reported, according to NBC 12.

According to the alert, there is no ongoing threat to the community, but there is a heavy police presence at Monroe Park.

Richmond Public Schools confirmed to our sister station that the shooting happened outside the theater during the Huguenot High School graduation ceremony.

The Richmond Police and VCU Police Departments are working together with support from Virginia State Police and Henrico Police. Richmond Police are leading the investigation, according to VCU.

Stay with 10 News as this story develops


About the Authors:

Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.

Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.