Richmond neighbors rattled after dozens of shots fired at celebration of life

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Henrico County man is facing charges after an incident involving multiple shooters at a Richmond park late Tuesday night. An eyewitness says it took place at a celebration of life.

Around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, officers with the Richmond Police Department were called to Ann Hardy Plaza for multiple reports of shots fired.

When they arrived, officers witnessed several people running away from the area.

These officers spoke to witnesses, who said that a large group had gathered and that multiple people had fired shots. Some of these shooters were on foot, while others were inside vehicles.

Thankfully, no one was hurt. However, 20-year-old Terrell Liggons, Jr., of Henrico County, has been arrested and charged with reckless handling of a firearm.

Police said there is no immediate threat to the community -- but, even so, this shooting has rattled the surrounding Highland Park neighborhood. Several people reported hearing what they described as dozens of gunshots.

Our crew visited the scene Tuesday night, where they found shell casings littering the ground. We also spoke to multiple witnesses, both on Tuesday night and the next day.

One eyewitness told 8News that it took place at a celebration of life for a man who would have been 19 years old on Tuesday.

Another witness, Howard Watson, said he was sitting on his porch and chatting with his neighbors when he heard what sounded like arguing amongst a large group at Ann Hardy Park.

"I got up and walked to the fence and started looking up there, and next thing I know, I see a light -- next thing I know, I hear ‘pow, pow, pow, pow, pow,’" Watson said. "Sounds like someone had a machine gun."

Watson, who has lived in the Highland Park area for three years, said he was among the many people in the area who scattered as this gunfire erupted, fearing they might be hit.

"First time I’ve seen anything like that over here in Highland Park," he said. "That surprised me right there."

Watson said he's left worrying for his safety, as well as the safety of his neighbors and their families.

Notably, this incident comes just a few short weeks after a mass shooting in Shockoe Bottom left two people dead and seven injured. More than 50 shell casings were recovered from that scene -- which is located just about 10 minutes away from Ann Hardy Plaza.

No additional information on Tuesday night's shooting is available as of the time of reporting. Police continue to investigate. If you know anything about this shooting, you are asked to contact the Richmond Police Department at 804-780-1000. You can also submit an anonymous tip through the P3 Tips app.

Richmond Police thanked the Henrico County Police Division for its assistance with this incident.