Remembering the Huguenot High School graduation shooting two years later

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Friday marks two years since a day meant for joyous celebration transformed into a tragic scene outside Huguenot High School's graduation ceremony.

The deadly shooting, which occurred on June 6, 2023, sent shockwaves through the entire city, claiming the lives of graduating senior Shawn Jackson and his stepfather, Lorenzo Smith, and injuring several others just moments after the ceremony concluded.

(Credit: 8News)

(Credit: 8News)

(Credit: 8News)

18-year-old graduate Shawn Jackson

As two years passed, questions persist, a family is still searching for answers, and a murder conviction remains in the courts.

ALL COVERAGE: Huguenot High School Graduation Shooting

It was around 5:15 p.m. on June 6 when an altercation outside the Altria Theater, where the graduation ceremony had just taken place, erupted into gunfire. Hundreds of people were suddenly running for their lives during the chaos.

18-year-old graduate Shawn Jackson and 36-year-old Lorenzo Smith were shot and killed. The shooting also led to injuries for five other individuals, including a 14-year-old boy. The incident prompted a massive police response and an outpouring of grief and support from the community.

The suspect, Amari Pollard -- who was 19 at the time -- was initially charged in connection to both Jackson's and Smith's deaths. However, the murder charge connected to Smith was later dropped.

A jury trial for Pollard began several months later in February 2024. Throughout the proceedings, Pollard said the shooting was in self-defense. However, in a significant ruling, the judge determined that the jury could not consider this argument.

Ultimately, Pollard pleaded guilty to killing Jackson and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. 8News spoke with several jurors after the verdict, who expressed their belief that the shooting was indeed an act of self-defense.

The legal battle for Pollard is not over just yet. After a failed motion to withdraw his guilty plea, the case is now in appellate court, where the focus is on determining whether mistakes were made during the original jury trial.

Should the appellate court find merit in Pollard's appeal and conclude that errors occurred in his trial last year, they have the authority to appoint a new lawyer to represent him.

This critical update could lead to the case being sent back for a brand new trial, offering Pollard another chance to present his defense. It could also signal the beginning of the end of Pollard's lengthy legal battle.

One of the most persistent questions from that tragic day remains is who shot and killed Lorenzo Smith? To this day, the person responsible for Smith's death has yet to be identified.