Argument leads to deadly Midlothian Turnpike shooting, police say

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Richmond Police are releasing new details about a deadly shooting on the city’s southside over the weekend.

On Saturday, just after 10 p.m., police were called to the Belt Atlantic Apartments off of Midlothian Turnpike for reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival, the police found three victims. A 16-year-old boy died at the scene, and two women were transported to the hospital.

12 On Your Side was told the teen who died was in the Richmond Public Schools’ system.

“We just wish there wasn’t so much gun violence, and we know that people are using guns to resolve their issues,” said Cruz Sherman, the founder of Virginians in Action.

Virginians in Action is an organization that aims to educate communities about gun violence.

According to police, the shooting happened after an altercation.

“Detectives have confirmed there was an altercation between individuals in the area prior to the shooting,” Richmond Police said.

However, it’s unclear if the victims were involved in the altercation.

“Our hearts and prayers go out for the family, for that community because they’ve suffered so much. They’ve had tragedy after tragedy,” Sherman said.

Sherman created his organization following a shooting in 2021 at the same complex that killed a mother and her 3-month-old daughter.

Along with other advocates and faith leaders, he arrived on the scene Saturday to comfort residents.

Sherman said many of them are fed up with the violence.

“People were saying that ‘we’re tired of this. We want to live in a community where we feel safe,’ and that it is just for them, a night of fear, uncertainty, frustration,” he said.

He said they will continue to educate the community about thinking twice before pulling the trigger.

“It’s frustrating, but we can not give up. We can not give up hope,” he said.

Police are investigating this incident and ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.