‘I’m forever traumatized’: Richmond mother longs for answers nearly 1 year after son killed in home
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Richmond mother longs for answers into the death of her 18-year-old son, who was killed two days before his high school graduation nearly one year ago.
"I'm forever traumatized from it," said Toni Atkins of Richmond. "Every day I wake up, it's what plays in my head."
On May 22, 2024, officers with the Richmond Police Department found 18-year-old Tyshawn White of Richmond around 1:30 p.m. unresponsive with a gunshot wound in a home on the 1600 block of Edwards Avenue. He died at the scene.
Atkins detailed how she found her son when she returned home before officers arrived.
PREVIOUS: Mother of 18-year-old Richmond shooting victim speaks out
"I noticed some chaos had occurred and I called out for my baby and nobody answered me," Atkins said. "I checked his location -- his location said 'home.' And when I went [further inside] ... that's when I saw my baby."
At the time of his death, the Meadowbrook High School student was only days away from graduating.
18-year-old Tyshawn White of Richmond. (Photo: 8News)
Atkins said White had dreams of stepping into the world after graduating from high school and heading to dental school.
"He didn't even get to try on his cap and gown," Atkins said, tearfully. "I have no pictures with my baby with his cap and gown on."
Nearly one year into the investigation and Atkins tells 8News no headway has been made by Richmond Police detectives.
"I feel they're desensitized when it comes down to these murders," Atkins said. "[Police say] they don't have anything and they're waiting for someone to come forward ... [but] who is going to actually come forward and say, 'I did this?'"
Atkins said she fears her son's case will turn cold as the length of time with no answers grows.
"I have other mothers that have lost their sons and their children to gun violence and nothing was done — another three years — no time, you know ... where [are] the punishments?" Atkins said.
8News reached out to Richmond Police on the matter earlier this month and was told there is no further information to be shared with the public at the moment.
When asked about cold cases, a spokesperson for the department said this:
"Please be advised that there is no definitive timeline when a case is considered to be a cold case. The timeline may vary based on investigative leads being exhausted at that moment." Chelsea Taylor, Public Information Officer, Richmond Police Department
