RICHMOND, Va. — Two boys were killed and two men were seriously injured after a shooting in Virginia on Friday night, authorities said.
According to the Richmond Police Department, shots were fired at about 7:31 p.m. EST, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. Officers arriving at the scene discovered the four victims with gunshot wounds, the newspaper reported.
Update 1:36 p.m. EST Nov. 13: The boys’ ages were 9 and 14, Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith said during a news conference on Saturday. The 9-year-old was attempting to unlock a car door when he was gunned down, the chief said.
“This type of act cannot stand in Richmond,” Smith told reporters. “Once again the pattern continues. Our young people are falling victim to random gunshot violence over and over again.”
Smith said both men were in stable condition, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported. The two boys were not related to one another, Smith told reporters, but did not say if they were related to the adult victims, according to the newspaper.
Original report: All four victims were taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, where the two boys were pronounced dead, WTVR reported.
BREAKING: Two children are dead and two adults are critically injured following a shooting in Richmond on Friday night.https://t.co/fyzC7IyIbp
— WTVR CBS 6 Richmond (@CBS6) November 13, 2021
The identities and ages of the victims have not been released, the television station reported.
“I’m devastated by the tragedy that occurred this evening in our community, two young lives were lost and we extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims,” Richmonda Mayor Levar Stoney in said a news release. “We will bring those who perpetrated this horrible crime to justice, and we will strengthen our efforts to curb gun violence and address the root causes that lead to these senseless acts.”
“There is a vigorous investigation underway and detectives are working to collect the facts in this case,” Police Chief Gerald M. Smith stated in the same release. “Gun violence leaves everyone traumatized and we must take a stand against violence together.”
The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death, WTVR reported. An investigation is ongoing, police said.
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