‘All I did was duck’: Richmond grandfather reeling after gunfire erupts at graveside ceremony, killing man
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A grandfather must now add horror to what he feels when thinking of his late grandson's passing after a shooting took place at his loved one's burial ceremony.
“All I did myself was duck and hide behind a car when this came up," said Robert Jennings of Richmond. "I’m burying my grandchild and you guys bring violence to the funeral?!"
Robert Jennings, among many others, were mourning the loss of 32-year-old Terrell Jennings at the Oakwood Cemetery on Wednesday, April 16 when shots rang out, sending many fleeing for safety and one man to the hospital.
According to the Richmond Police Department, officers received a call of a person shot at the cemetery at approximately 2:41 p.m. on Wednesday.
PREVIOUS: Man dead after shooting during graveside ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man with gunshot wounds. They took him to a local hospital, where he later died.
(Photo: 8News)
(Photo: 8News)
(Photo: 8News)
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards told media outlets that early reports show the matter began as a fight, which escalated into a shooting.
“Tragedy ... a person that shows up to grieve and mourn a loved one is now dead, himself," Edwards said. "I’ve been here 26 years [and] I’ve never seen a crime scene while there’s still a casket of a body that can’t be buried until this crime scene's finished. So, that’s a new low.”
Jennings was left in shock, still grieving the loss of his grandson, while pleading for the gun violence to end.
“There’s always a time when you can talk problems out, but they don’t have the knowledge to talk problems out ... they resort to gun violence all the time and I can’t understand it and it’s got to stop," Jennings said.
Police have not yet identified the man shot and killed at the ceremony, as they still have to notify his next of kin.
If you have any information on this shooting, you are asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 804-646-3613.
This is a developing story. Stick with 8News for updates.
