RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The teen who was shot in Richmond’s Whitcomb Court neighborhood on Wednesday has died after being sent to the hospital for a life-threatening gunshot wound.
The victim, who has only been identified as a 16-year-old male from Henrico County, was pronounced dead following a life-threatening gunshot wound, according to authorities.
Neighborhood residents recounted the events leading up to the shooting and described an altercation between the victim and the shooter on a basketball court near the neighborhood playground. The sound of gunshots left residents shaken and deeply concerned.
This incident marks the second deadly shooting of a teenager in Richmond within two weeks.
Just earlier this month, a 14-year-old boy lost his life after being shot and found lying in the road on March 31.
Community members, including James Minor, President of Richmond’s NAACP chapter, expressed outrage and sorrow over the recurring violence. Minor emphasized the urgent need to establish measures to prevent such tragedies, rather than merely reacting after lives are lost.
“I don’t have all the solutions, all the answers,” Minor said. “All I know is that we’re losing our young people at an alarming rate.”
Minor said the repetitive cycle of attending funerals and witnessing the loss of young lives is exhausting. He emphasized the shared sorrow experienced by the entire community.
“I’m gettin’ so sick and tired of going to funerals, seeing our young people die,” Minor said. “While you’re grieving, we’re grieving with you as well.”
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call Det. M. Ahnstrom of Richmond Police at 804-646-3913.
