2 dead, 7 injured after Shockoe Bottom Shooting in Richmond
Two people were killed and seven others shot in a shockoe bottom shooting early Saturday, police said, a burst of gunfire that left a multi-block crime scene and multiple victims just after 2: 47 a. m. ET.
Shootout on North 18th Street left two dead, seven hurt
Richmond police said the gunfire was reported around 2: 47 a. m. on North 18th Street. An officer already in the area noticed "a large commotion" — what appeared to be a fight in the street with cars fleeing — and responded within seconds, finding an adult woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. That woman’s family identified her as 23-year-old Genesis Jones.
Additional officers located an adult man with gunshot wounds who was also pronounced dead at the scene. Police counted nine people shot in all: two deceased and seven others injured. one victim sustained injuries described as life-threatening while others were non-life-threatening.
Shockoe Bottom Shooting drew immediate police and medical response
An officer’s quick arrival and subsequent responding units and medics marked the initial response. Four victims with injuries considered non-life-threatening were transported to hospitals by the Richmond Ambulance Authority, and three more arrived at hospitals in private vehicles. Police said the scene was chaotic, with patrons and bar staff seeking cover as gunfire rang out near 18th and Franklin.
Crime scene stretched across multiple blocks; investigators review footage
Officers shut down parts of Shockoe Bottom while processing the scene, blocking streets from 17th and Main to 19th and Main and around 18th and Franklin. Investigators collected shell casings from vehicles and streets and confirmed "several cars have been hit by bullets. " Witnesses described what sounded like automatic gunfire drawing closer; forensic teams worked through the morning to recover evidence.
Chief Rick Edwards said, "At this point, it seems like a fight started. Individuals intervened in that fight, and shots were fired. They were all in the middle of the street… in the 0–100 block of North 18th Street. " He added, "One person starts shooting, multiple people start shooting, " and said there were at least two shooters. Police are reviewing footage from multiple surveillance cameras and using other technology to identify suspects.
Authorities urged anyone with information to contact Major Crimes Detective J. DeBoard at 804-646-6795, Richmond Police at 804-780-1000, or Crime Stoppers anonymously. Streets remained closed while investigators continued processing the scene, and they expect some details to change as the investigation continues.
