Police: Man trying to break up a fight seriously injured in shooting

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RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - The Richmond Police Department is investigating a shooting that left two men seriously injured on Saturday morning.

Just after 10 a.m., officers were called to East Grace Street for a domestic call.

When police arrived at the scene, officers found two men with serious injuries.

“Detectives responded and have determined a male, 19, was in a confrontation with a known adult female on the sidewalk in front of an apartment building,” police said Monday. “This argument generated 911 calls for a violent domestic situation. The other male, 35, was passing the confrontation while walking his dog and attempted to intervene in the dispute. The 19-year-old male produced a firearm from his backpack and shot the man and then shot himself."

Both men were taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Richmond Police Department says an officer arrived three and a half minutes after the initial domestic violence call.

“The dog was transported to Richmond Animal Care and Control and has now been returned to a family member,” police said

Anyone with information about this case can call Major Crimes Detective J. Higgins (804) 646-7570 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

“This is a tragic story of gun violence against a person who was simply trying to de-escalate a disturbing argument,” said Chief Rick Edwards. “This is a heartbreaking reminder that we must, as a community, continue to combat gun violence in our society.”