RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Police are investigating a shooting in the 1500 block of Harwood Street.
The shooting took place on the road into Hillside Courts.
An individual was taken off in an ambulance with life-threatening injuries.
Police canvassed the area and spoke with residents. On site, neighborhood children came over to pet a police dog.
Children come out to pet a police dog, as police respond to a shooting.
The mid-day shooting happened just over an hour after Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and Police Chief Alfred Durham addressed 2016 crime statistics.
The police chief pointed out that crime is up 12-percent from last year, but compared to other years it's still below.
There have been 33 homicides so far this year, compared to 20 this time last year.
Durham said they have a shortage of officers and said they are down 36 officers.
The mayor said, “I know we want to look for easy solutions and put more police on the street,” but added there are staffing realities.
He said, "this is a community issue, something we have to work on together."
Durham also discussed initiatives police are employing when dealing with domestic crimes and gun violence.
Watch Chelsea Rarrick's report on the press conference tonight, starting at 5 p.m.
