What neighbor heard before double shooting outside Richmond house party: 'Dogs started barking'

RICHMOND, Va. — Discarded red Solo cups scattered along the East 35th Street sidewalk Saturday morning are among the few remnants of the house party that ended in gunfire on Richmond's Southside.

Mercy, who lives near the scene, said she had already gone inside for the night when the shooting happened late Friday night.

"I want to say nine, 10 o'clock, that's when I shut down and went inside, and all you were able to hear was music," Mercy said.

Then the noise changed.

"A lot of noise, screaming," she said. "We hear those two shots and after those two shots the dogs started barking. We stayed inside the house, we kept quiet — of course we've seen blue lights."

Richmond

Police: Fight led to shootings that injured man, woman at Richmond house party

WTVR CBS 6 Web Staff

Richmond Police said a fight broke out at the crowded gathering and escalated into gunfire. A man was critically wounded and a woman was injured. Both were found outside the home with gunshot wounds.

Mercy said she has unfortunately grown accustomed to the city's violence — but that does not make it any easier to accept.

"I do hope that they still are able to continue to do whatever they have to do in life and still grow," she said of the victims.

Her message to anyone thinking about bringing a gun to a party was direct.

"There is really no point in taking someone else's life, or somebody's child or sister, or sibling, or brother, or anybody away from them," Mercy said. "You wouldn't want that to happen to you. If you've got to do something, use your words and use your hands — leave the guns alone."

She added that the presence of a crowd makes the decision even more senseless.

"It's too many people around for you to just want to go to that first thing," she said.

Her final message was simple.

"Everybody's going to want to have fun, everybody's going to have a good time, but you want to go back home to your loved ones too. So think about it," Mercy said.

Richmond Police say their investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000. Tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips app. All Crime Stoppers methods of contact are anonymous.

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