FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Two people have been killed and five others injured in a shooting that occurred during a high school graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia.
Shots outside the Atria Theater sent students in graduation gowns running for safety, US media reports.
School officials say the shooting happened during a ceremony for Huguenot High School.
Another graduation scheduled for Tuesday was postponed and all classes were canceled on Wednesday.
The victims who were killed were an 18-year-old who was part of the graduating class and his 36-year-old father, police said. Police have not yet released their identities.
A 19-year-old suspect has been taken into custody, according to Richmond Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards. He said police believe he knew at least one of the victims.
Another man was found armed with a handgun and was initially detained, but police now believe he was not involved in the attack.
The shooting happened in Monroe Park after the ceremony had ended on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University.
"Is nothing sacred anymore?" Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney asked at a press conference.
" A kid should be able to go to graduation and walk to graduation and enjoy the accomplishment with their friends and families ," he said, calling the shooting a "selfish act."
In an alert sent to students Tuesday, the university said police were on the scene to respond to the shooting.
" There is no ongoing threat to the community, but there is a heavy police presence in Monroe Park ," the alert said.
Chief Edwards added that three off-duty officers were working inside the theater and seven others were stationed outside to direct traffic when the shooting erupted.
At 17:13 local time (22:13 GMT), police in the building reported hearing gunshots outside, he said.
As well as five gunshot victims who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, two people fell and a nine-year-old girl "was hit by a car during the fight", he continued.
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said the attack happened on what is "supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk up the stage and get their diplomas."
" I have no more words for this, I'm tired of seeing people get shot, our children get shot, and I'm asking the whole community to stop ," he continued.
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