RICHMOND, Va. — Detectives have been working to find out the answer to a question many have after a shooting after a high school graduation left two dead and many others injured on Tuesday: why did it happen? Crime Insider sources have provided some information to Jon Burkett about the connection between the teenage victim and suspect.
Suspect Amari Pollard, 19, and slain 18-year-old Huguenot High School graduate Shawn Jackson knew each other before the shooting, police confirmed.
While detectives are investigating how long they've known each other, they are confident it's been a couple of years.
Those same Crime Insider sources told Burkett detectives have honed in on two theories behind the motive of the shooting:
Words exchanged between the two at Tuesday's graduation ceremony at the Altria Theater or the 2021 killing of Thomas Jefferson student Daveon Elliott.
Elliot and the suspect, Pollard, were friends, sources said.
Social media posts and music videos show Jackson — an aspiring rapper — with lyrics referring to a chest shot.
Elliott was fatally shot in the chest on Larrymore Road in South Richmond.
Elliott's death ruled a justified homicide and multiple Crime Insider sources confirmed Jackson was part of that police investigation.
Elliott's mom spoke with Jon Burkett on Wednesday.
"I would not wish death or grief on anyone," she said. "Losing a child is losing a piece of your heart. If rumors are true that this was done out of retaliation for my son, I would ask these kids or people who called my son their friend to stop and end this now. Nothing good will come from it. I'm hurt. My son's case is closed but I'm going to let God handle it."
Police continue working on the Graduation Day shooting investigation and have asked people who may have videos of anything suspicious in or outside the Altria Theater to call 804-646-6741 or submit information here.
We need your help. The @FBIRichmond has created a website for those who may have photos and videos that could assist with the investigation of the June 6, 2023, shooting that occurred at Monroe Park following the Huguenot High School graduation. pic.twitter.com/vxBQjtHAG0
— Richmond Police (@RichmondPolice) June 7, 2023
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