‘A new kind of low’: Man shot, killed in cemetery while attending funeral

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - One person was shot and killed at a funeral on Wednesday afternoon in Virginia’s capitol city of Richmond.

Numerous police officers were called to the 3100 block of Nine Mile Road at Oakwood Cemetery just after 2:40 p.m. for the report of a person shot.

Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards believes the shooting started after two funeral attendees got into an argument before the casket was in the ground. He says it’s something he’s never seen before.

“I’ve been here 26 years. I’ve never seen a crime scene while there’s still the casket of a body that can’t be buried until this crime scene’s finished, so that’s a new kind of low,” Edwards said.

One man was shot and taken to the hospital, where he later died, according to the chief. He called the situation senseless and tragic.

“It’s a tragedy,” Edwards said. “A person that shows up to grieve and mourn a loved one is now dead himself.”

Family members did confirm that a funeral was taking place at the time of the shooting. Police say the person the funeral was for died of natural causes.

No suspect information was initially confirmed, but police are asking for the community’s help to find the shooter.