‘Our hearts cry out for the families’: At least 2 shooters involved in Shockoe Bottom shooting, police say
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Officials have identified the victims and said at least two shooters were involved in a Shockoe Bottom shooting that left two people dead and seven others injured on Saturday.
Richmond authorities on Saturday, Feb. 21, held a press conference after nine people were shot early Saturday morning in the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, killing two people in a deadly incident that started out as a verbal confrontation.
Police said 23-year-old Genesis Tamar Jones of Petersburg and 42-year-old Dominic Antoine Jackson of Henrico were killed in the shooting. Seven other people were injured, including one man with life-threatening injuries. Police said all victims are adults aged 23 to 42 years old.
According to Richmond authorities, police recovered over 50 cartridge casings and multiple firearms and towed six cars in connection with the shooting, noting that the investigation is still in early stages with a lot of forensic materials to examine.
2 dead, 7 injured after Shockoe Bottom shooting in Richmond
"As a mayor of the city, this is absolutely heartbreaking. Our hearts cry out for the families of the victims," said Mayor Danny Avula. "This is not how people want to live. This is not what our city is about. This is not what the residents of our city deserve."
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said an officer with the department first noticed a "commotion" in the 00 block of North 18th Street at around 2:47 a.m. on Saturday while on patrol. When she exited the car, the officer found a woman dead at the scene. EMS crews arrived on scene one minute later, Edwards said.
According to Richmond Police, the fight broke out between multiple people who were armed and at least two people fired shots. Police said the incident did not originate in a club, as all bars were closed at 2 a.m.
"This was people hanging out on the street, two groups of individuals started fighting," Edwards said. "My message would be leave your guns at home. You can't make good decisions and you can't have a normal fight if you're armed -- if everyone is armed -- because it ends in tragedy like we saw this morning."
Police urged residents who might have filmed the incident to submit the footage. Anyone with information can contact the Richmond Police Department at 804-646-6795.
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
Watch the full press conference below.
