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A shooting outside a theater where a high school graduation was taking place in Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday evening left 13 injured and two reportedly dead.
Four firearms were recovered at the scene. ABC8News reports on the multiple injuries:
• 7 people shot. 3 with life-threatening injuries, 4 with non-life threatening injuries
• 2 people were injured by falls
• 1 person hit by a car
• 3 self-transported to the hospital for anxiety8News sources have reported that two people are dead, but police have not confirmed this information yet.
The ages of the victims, as well as whether they were a part of the graduation ceremony, have not yet been released.
The shooting occurred outside the Altria Theater around 5 PM as graduation ceremonies were being held inside for Huguenot High School. Officers inside heard the gunshots.
Two suspects have been apprehended. More information about them has not been released at this time, but police have said there is no longer a threat to the community. “We’re going to do everything we can to bring the individuals involved in this to justice,” Mayor Levar Stoney said at a news conference. “This should not be happening anywhere.”
Videos show chaotic scenes in the aftermath:
#BREAKINGNEWS Multiple people were shot at a high school graduation ceremony held at the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia. The shooting occurred outside the theater during the Huguenot High School graduation ceremony. Five people have been shot and sustained serious injuries. pic.twitter.com/TKUcoFJSXq
— The Washington Press (@washpressorg) June 6, 2023
Here’s what one person saw:
A witness told 8News they heard at least 30 shots fired.
“Everyone literally started running for their lives,” the witness explained. She said she believes at least one of the people shot was a graduate.
Other witnesses noted that people got injured by the crowds rushing to get away from the gunfire:
Edythe Payne was helping her daughter sell flowers outside the theater to students as they left the ceremony. She told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the shooting caused a panic on nearby Main Street, which was packed with people at the time.
“I felt bad because some elderly people were at the graduation and they got knocked down to the ground,” Payne said.
#DEVELOPING: Multiple people shot at a high school graduation ceremony near Monroe Park and the Altria Theater in Richmond, Virginia.
Massive RPD and SWAT response. pic.twitter.com/ANimEXiRD9
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) June 6, 2023
Thomas Jefferson High School also planned a graduation ceremony at the site Tuesday evening, but that was canceled, and all Richmond area schools will be closed Wednesday.
Richmond Public Schools superintendent Jason Kamras said he’s tired of seeing such tragedies:
This is supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk the stage and get their diplomas, which is what they all did here today for Huguenot…and then this tragedy occurred.
I’m just tired of seeing people get shot, our kids get shot. I beg of the entire community to stop.
RedState will bring you more information as it becomes available.
