Two people killed and seven injured in early-morning shooting in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom. Police say fight escalated into gunfire; investigation ongoing

Two people were killed and seven others wounded in an early-morning shooting in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom neighborhood on Saturday, authorities confirmed.

Also read: U.S. Judge sentences two to in prison for child exploitation conspiracy

According to the Richmond Police Department, officers on patrol around 2:45 a.m. observed a large crowd engaged in apparent confrontations along North 18th Street in the popular nightlife district.

Police Chief Rick Edwards said an officer responded immediately and found an adult woman suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shortly afterward, officers located an adult man unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds; he was also pronounced dead on site.

Authorities later identified the deceased as 23-year-old Genesis Jones of Petersburg and 42-year-old Dominic Jackson of Henrico County.

In total, nine adults were shot. One male victim sustained life-threatening injuries, while three males and three females suffered non-life-threatening wounds.

Four victims were transported to hospitals by emergency services, and three others sought medical treatment independently.

Preliminary investigations suggest the violence stemmed from a fight that escalated rapidly, with multiple individuals intervening before gunfire erupted.

Police reported recovering more than 50 shell casings from the scene and indicated that at least two shooters may have been involved.

Chief Edwards described the incident as particularly frustrating, noting that the evening had been relatively calm before the sudden outbreak of violence.