RICHMOND, Va. -- Police are investigating a shooting that left a 17-year-old boy dead on Richmond's East End.
Officers responded to the report of a person down in the 1400 block of Jennie Scher Road around 4:40 p.m. Thursday.
Officers arrived and found the 17-year-old with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of the death.
A school board member identified the victim as a student at Armstrong High School.
Crime Insider sources said the boy suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.
Those in the community are trying to come to terms with the death of a young one taken before his prime.
"It's sad. I've got grandkids, you know. It's just so sad man," one neighbor said.
Youth violence is something Richmond heard and witnessed several times in 2021. People living here were hoping it was something they wouldn't see return.
"We've had a reprieve and some of that is due to the great work of our Red Ball task force. We can't take credit for it all but it also has to do with the effort our community is trying to keep kids busy," RPD chief Gerald Smith said.
Smith said detectives canvassed the area and knocked on doors trying to get crucial information in the case. They will also lean on management at the Ashley Oak Apartments to provide them access to surveillance footage.
"We are going through all the cameras that we can. We've been here canvassing the area and will talk on the side to our confidential informants to see what we can find out," Smith said.
There have been six homicides so far in 2022 -- three within just the last week. Neighbors are disgusted, saying they don't understand why someone had to ruin a beautiful day.
"When it gets warmer, the crime gets more violent."
Anyone with information about the death investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Darnell at 804-646-3927 or Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 with anonymous tips.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
