A shooting took place on Tuesday outside a high school graduation ceremony in Virginia, leaving two people dead and five others wounded.
The police revealed that the suspect was in custody facing at least two murder charges.
Authorities highlighted that a 31-year-old gunshot victim still had life-threatening injuries. Four males, ages 14, 32, 55, and 58, had injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Police did not provide a motive, pointing out that the suspect knew “at least one of the victims.”
The graduation ceremony at the Altria Theater, located in Monroe Park on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, was abruptly canceled after shots rang out shortly after 5 p.m., Edwards said.
Off-duty officers working security inside the ceremony immediately responded to the scene and found the shooting victims, Edwards said earlier Tuesday. Virginia Commonwealth University security detained the suspect after he left the scene, Edwards said.
No police officers were injured or fired their weapons during the incident, Edwards 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,” a Richmond Public Schools spokesperson said.
U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan said: “Tonight’s celebration turned into every parent’s worst nightmare. As the mother of two school-aged children, I cannot fathom the profound heartbreak, sense of loss, and trauma these families are experiencing.”
“The gun violence epidemic is a public health crisis that we must address. We cannot continue to live in fear,” McClellan added.
