Five people were taken to the hospital from the area with gunshot wounds, and two more gunshot victims self-transported to the hospital, police said.
Huguenot High School’s graduation was scheduled to be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Altria Theater, adjacent to the park, according to the school’s website.
In a notice posted on its website, Richmond Public Schools said the shooting took place in the park after the graduation ceremony. It said that all district schools would be closed Wednesday and that all high school graduations this week have been canceled.
Speaking at the first news conference about the shooting, Superintendent Jason Kamras, wearing a black graduation robe, became emotional.
“This is supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk the stage and get their diploma,” he said, describing how Tuesday’s graduates walked “out the doors into their families’ and friends’ arms, taking pictures. And then this tragedy occurred.”
Kamras seemed exasperated by the violence.
“I’m tired of seeing people get shot, our kids get shot, and I beg of the entire community to stop,” he said. “To just stop. Our kids can’t take it. Our teachers can’t take it. Our families can’t take it anymore. I beg of you to stop.”
Virginia Commonwealth initially said the shooting was part of an “active threat” on campus. School officials later said in a campus alert, “There is no ongoing threat to the community but there is a heavy police presence at Monroe Park.”
On Tuesday evening, Virginia Commonwealth President Michael Rao tweeted: “Graduations should be times of happiness and celebration. Today’s shooting is heart-wrenching and shocking.”
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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