RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- The sound of gunshots unsettled part Jackson Ward on Saturday and sent a 21-year-old man to the hospital.
Richmond Police said that Corey Mayo was shot at the 300 block of 1st Street in Richmond around five p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Mayo rallied to call the police. When officers responded to the call, they found him lying two blocks away on Clay Street between 1st and 2nd Street.
A man who lives nearby and saw Mayo said he was bleeding heavily from his chin.
Mayo was taken to VCU Medical Center, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
No suspects have been identified yet, but two people were seen running from the area after the shooting.
For some living in Jackson Ward, hearing of this kind of violence so close to home is very troubling.
"Anybody could have been walking down the street. Little children, anybody could have been hit,” said a woman that lives close to the scene.
While police continue searching for suspects in this case, a local pastor says this is just another example of violent crime in Richmond that he wants to help stop.
Just a half a block away from the scene of the shooting on Marshal Street sits New Timothy Baptist Church. Pastor Rodney Eaton's Easter sermon included this message about helping to stop violent crime.
“We have to be more vocal as a community and not be afraid to go to the streets and solicit those who may have seen something. And then to go to the police say look we saw this activity and we're not afraid to stand up for what we believe is right,” Eaton said.
As for the possible suspects in this case, Pastor Eaton says we all make mistakes and has a more personal message.
“Do the right thing. You have committed a crime and it was a horrible crime,” he said. "First, say Lord forgive me of my sins, and then turn yourself in a do the right thing.”
Police do not have a clear description of the suspects yet, so anyone who may have information regarding this shooting is asked to call Richmond Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.
