Authorities in Virginia are searching for suspects involved in a mass shooting that erupted in downtown Richmond over the weekend, leaving two people dead and seven others wounded.
The altercation initially involved fist fighting, but escalated, and guns were drawn when people attempted to break up the fight. An officer who was in the area noticed the commotion and responded to the scene within seconds, where an adult female was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, Edwards said.
An adult male was also found suffering from gunshot wounds. The man and woman, identified as 42-year-old Dominic Jackson of Henrico County and 23-year-old Genesis Jones of Petersburg, were both pronounced dead at the scene, Edwards said.
Seven other victims were taken to local hospitals, including one male who had life-threatening wounds. The remaining six suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
The identities of those who were injured have not yet been released. NTD reached out to Richmond Police for additional information, but a response was not received by publication time.
Edwards told local media that investigators recovered a large amount of forensic material, including more than 50 cartridge casings and multiple firearms. Six vehicles were also towed from the scene.
"We are in the early stages of this investigation. It just happened hours ago, but our detectives, along with our real-time crime center, have been working, looking at all the video surveillance, and talking with folks," he said.
"My ask for the community is anyone, anyone with video of this incident, leading up to it or right after, ask them to share that with us ... We’re hoping to get some more help from the community. People have been sending me videos, and we’re giving those to our investigators."
Edwards asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 directly, or call the Richmond Police Non-Emergency Number at (804) 646-5100.
While speaking at the news briefing, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula called the shooting "absolutely unacceptable."
"This is absolutely heartbreaking our hearts cry out for the families of the victims," Avula said.
"This is not how people want to live, it's not what our city is about, it is not what the residents of our city deserve ... Justice must be served."