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Middle school student killed in 'accidental' shooting in Richmond neighborhood, mayor says

Mayor: 'If you own a gun, I am begging you, lock it up so that we can prevent unnecessary loss'
Posted at 7:55 AM, Mar 11, 2023
and last updated 2023-03-11 12:27:47-05

RICHMOND, Va. -- An investigation is underway after a 13-year-old boy was killed in what the mayor is calling an "accidental" shooting on Richmond's Southside Friday night.

Officers were called to the 1600 block of Stockton Street in the Blackwell neighborhood just before 9:55 p.m. after a call for a person down, according to officials with Richmond Police.

"Once on scene officers located a juvenile male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound," police said. "He was pronounced dead at the scene."

While police said they are not looking for any suspects in connection to the case, officials said the Medical Examiner will determine the young man's exact cause of death.

"My heart breaks for the family who lost their 13-year-old son last night," Mayor Levar Stoney wrote in a news release Saturday. "As I have said before, we have too many damn guns in our community. Guns that are too easily accessible by our children and result in tragedies, like what occurred last night. If you own a gun, I am begging you, lock it up so that we can prevent unnecessary loss that will be felt for a lifetime."

Police have not released any details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

In a message to Richmond School Board members, Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools Jason Kamras shared that the child was a seventh-grade student at Binford Middle School. He also said three other Richmond Public Schools students were injured in separate Friday night shootings.

"We are mobilizing our team to support students and staff," his message read. "Please keep all of these students' families and their school communities in your thoughts and prayers."

Anyone with information was asked to call Major Crimes Detective G. Russell at 804-646-7715 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.

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