UPDATED: Shooting in Monroe Park leaves two killed and hundreds traumatized

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. The content of this article might be upsetting to some readers.

A 19-year-old man was arraigned in Richmond General District Court on two counts of second-degree murder with ties to the shooting, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch. 

Just 6.2 miles away from the University of Richmond’s campus, Amari Ty-Jon Pollard had a gun and has connection to the shooting that killed 18-year-old Shawn Jackson and his stepfather Renzo Smith Tuesday after Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony at the Altria Theater, according to reports from NBC News. 

Five others were treated for life-threatening and minor injuries. Nine witnesses were treated for anxiety, police told NBC News. Hundreds of people came to a graduation ceremony to see their children and loved one's graduate but were left in fear. 

Pollard had a long-standing dispute with Jackson, according to Police Chief Rick Edwards as reported by the Richmond Times Dispatch.  

After attending the graduation ceremony, Pollard retrieved a handgun from his car and fired. VCU police arrested Pollard and Pollard surrendered without further incident, Edwards said. 

Richmond Public Schools will be closed today, their website stated. 

Witness Naomi Wade told WTVR-TV she was selling flowers outside of the theater when she heard over 20 gunshots and watched people screaming and running towards their tent, where Wade and her mother were. 

Tuesday’s shooting marks the 276th mass shooting in the United States this year, according to a twitter post by Berekley professor Robert Reich. Guns have killed over 18,000 civilians this year alone, Reich’s tweet additionally stated. 

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