Richmond police arrested a 19-year-old man and charged him with the murders of a father and son outside a high school graduation ceremony.
Shawn Jackson, 18, and his father, Renzo Smith, 36, were killed as they walked out of the Altria Theater following Huguenot High School’s graduation on Tuesday evening.
Police arrested Amari Ty-Jon Pollard, 19, and charged him with two counts of second-degree murder. He was arraigned Wednesday morning and is being held in jail without bond.
Pollard reportedly opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun equipped with a switch that converted the weapon into a machine gun.
Witnesses say they heard “dozens” of gunshots just as the graduation ended.
“We had hundreds of people in Monroe Park, so people scattered. It was very chaotic at the scene,” said Acting Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards.
Officials say the shooter may have targeted Shawn Jackson.
Seven people were wounded, including Shawn Jackson’s 9-year-old sister Rennyah Jackson-Smith who was struck by a car as she fled in the ensuing panic.
A GoFundMe raised over $11,000 for funeral and medical expenses.
