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‘How many people have to die?’ longtime Gilpin Court resident asks

Posted at 10:48 PM, Sep 10, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-10 23:05:09-04

RICHMOND, Va. – Residents who live in one of Richmond’s public housing neighborhoods are on edge after four people were shot and killed in a little more than an hour early Sunday morning.

A call for random gunfireled police to an apartment on St. Paul Street where they discovered three people shot to death.

In video, captured about an hour later, officers are seen running toward Federal Street.

That is where another man was shot and killed while police are investigating the first shooting.

Police investigating fatal shooting in Gilpin Court.

Police investigating fatal shooting in Gilpin Court.

Abeer Neal said she has lived in Gilpin Court since she was 19 -- and that she knows the three people found dead in the apartment.

"The older people like us that knew them, we're more hurt, and we don't have a clue what happened,” Neal said. “They were known, so it's like people are sad and emotional… like would this be me next?”

At this point police do not think the two shootings are connected, but are investigating that theory.

"It's surprising, but it's really not,” said Neal, who said she has been surrounded by violence for years.

Abeer Neal and WTVR CBS 6 reporter Jake Burns.

Abeer Neal and WTVR CBS 6 reporter Jake Burns.

In fact, her 15-year old nephew was gunned down in Mosby Court a few months ago.

"His birthday was yesterday,” she said.

Neal said that while she hopes things get better in public housing, she is not holding her breath.

"I think by the grace of God nothing has happened to me and my kids, but I just feel like... how many people have to die before you decide to tear these projects down?” she said. “There is too much of this going on.”

Anyone with information about the crime can call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.

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