By Natalia Rueda 
A graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, descended into tragedy this week when two people were killed in a shooting following the ceremony’s conclusion. The incident happened outside of the Altria Theater, where hundreds gathered to celebrate the occasion.
Interim Richmond police chief Rick Edwards stated that an 18-year-old student and a 36-year-old attendee were killed in the shooting. Along with this heartbreaking loss of life, five other people were also injured.
In addition to the two killed, a 19-year-old has been detained as a suspect and is likely to be charged with intentional homicide. Edwards commented that the suspect “knows at least one of the victims”. Tragically, a 9-year-old girl was also injured when she was accidentally run over by a car during the incident. Thankfully, she is receiving medical attention and is in stable condition.
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney commented on the incident by saying “Is anything sacred? Is nothing sacred yet?” He has vowed to ensure justice is served, both for the families involved and the entire city. The incident occurred a mere hour after the graduation ceremony of Escuela Secundaria Huguenot had ended, and the graduating class was posing for pictures with family members outside the theater.
In response to the tragedy, the graduation ceremony of another school, scheduled for that same night, was cancelled, as well as the remaining graduation ceremonies at the Altria Theater this month. Superintendent of the Public Schools of Richmond, Jason Kamras commented on the incident, saying “I have no words. I’m tired of seeing people shoot our kids. I plead to the entire community to stop”.
This heartbreaking incident is yet another reminder of the toll that gun violence takes on American communities, of both those that have been lost, and those still living with the trauma, fear, and sadness that accompany these acts of violence.