No Celebration as Father and Son Mourned at U.S. Commencement Ceremony Shooting

An 18-year-old graduating student and his 36-year-old father were shot to death outside the Altria Theater, just after 5 P.M. local time on Tuesday evening in Virginia’s capital city of Richmond, immediately following Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony, international media reported.
According to Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards, seven people were shot in all. A family spokesperson confirmed the update. Shawn Jackson had just stepped up to the podium to receive his diploma moments before he and his father, Renzo Smith, were shot and killed. A 31-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition.
Six other people experienced injuries unrelated to the gunshots; three were sent to the hospital for anxiety, two were injured from falls, and a 9-year-old was struck by a car as he and his party fled the scene. The injured–though obviously traumatized–are expected to survive, as reported by the police chief.
The 19-year-old suspect–carrying no fewer than four handguns at the time–was taken into custody. Officers believe the suspect knew at least one of the victims. The suspect is expected to face charges of second-degree murder on two counts. According to Edwards, police apprehended a second individual carrying a firearm but do not believe he was involved in the incident.
Commenting about this tragedy, Edwards said, “At a graduation, people should have felt safe. It’s tragic that someone decided to bring a gun and reign terror on our community.” He added that so far this year, there have been 33 gun-related deaths in the city of Richmond (a city of less than a quarter million inhabitants) in 2023.