RICHMOND, Va. -- The 19-year-old suspect in the shooting after a high school graduation in Richmond that left two people dead and many others injured has been indicted on one count of first-degree murder and one count of use of a firearm to commit a felony, according to Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin.
Amari Pollard had previously been charged with two counts of second-degree murder. He is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Friday on the initial charges, so it is unclear if that hearing will still take place.
"Preliminary information available to investigators at that time was presented to the magistrate who issued warrants charging Amari Pollard with two counts of second degree murder," McEachin said in a written statement. "As the investigation of the matter continued following Pollard’s arrest, video surveillance footage was obtained and physical evidence that was previously recovered from the crime scene underwent forensic analysis. Pursuant to an extensive review of that additional evidence and information, the matter was presented to a grand jury today which returned indictments for one count of first degree murder of Shawn Jackson and one count of use of a firearm in the commission of murder of Shawn Jackson.
The investigation into this matter will continue. However,mandatory rules of legal ethics and professional responsibility for prosecutors prevent our office from commenting any further on the facts or investigation in this case."
Huguenot High School graduate Shawn Jackson and his stepfather, Renzo Smith, were killed in the shooting in Monroe Park after Huguenot High School's graduation at the Altria Theater.
Pollard and the slain 18-year-old knew each other before the shooting, police previously confirmed.
In fact, Pollard had an ongoing, year-long dispute with Jackson, who withdrew from Richmond Public Schools in 2020, according to police.
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Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards briefly addressed the shooting in a news briefing last week about crime in the city. His previous comments came via a video message almost a month ago after a planned news conference was canceled that same day.
Edwards reiterated that he and the commonwealth's attorney decided it was better for the integrity of the investigation to call it off and just release the statement.
"What I will say about that case, is that what we owe our community and what we owe the families of those who are involved is the truth about what happened," Edwards said. "And that truth is going to come out in John Marshall court building."
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
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