RICHMOND, Va. -- The FBI announced a new $20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person, or persons, involved in the May shooting death of Markiya Dickson. The nine-year-old girl was shot and killed while she played at Fonticello/Carter Jones Park on May 26.
"Since that day the Richmond Police Department has worked around the clock to identify the people responsible for this senseless act and this tragic death," FBI Special Agent In Charge FBI Dave Archie said.
He stressed the need for additional help from the public to catch those involved in Markiya's death.
"We can't make solid cases that lead to good prosecutions without witnesses," Archie continued.
Police believe the shooting stemmed from a fight that broke out in another section of the park.
"The was more than one gunman," Richmond Police Lt. Faith Flippo said. "We do not believe that this act was random."
Flippo said Dickson, and another child injured in the shooting, were innocent victims caught in the crossfire between two fighting groups.
Richmond Police Lt. Faith Flippo
She said police have developed a lot of potential suspects, based on tips from the community, but were still in need of eyewitnesses.
"We have received a lot of information and videos... but what we're asking for today is an eyewitness," Flippo said. "We need an eyewitness to come forward to help us link all of the pieces together."
Police especially want to hear from witnesses who took video in the park that day.
"It's heartbreaking to know that we don't have one person who says 'I'm the one who took that video and I saw that person with the gun, shooting it.' That's what we really need," Flippo said.
Archie said the FBI came forward with the reward at the request of Richmond Police.
Anyone with information for the FBI was asked to call 804-261-1044.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.
