Girl Killed, Boy Injured in Shooting at Carter Jones Park – Updated 5/28

Neighborhood witnesses and CBS6 are reporting that a large cookout was being held at Carter Jones Park. Around 7:25 PM multiple shots were fired. When police arrived they found two injured children, one girl and one boy. The two were taken to a local hospital. The girl died at the hospital and boy suffered serious injuries.

More from CBS6:

There was a large community cookout at the park that was wrapping up when gunfire erupted, according to those witnesses.

A forensics team was examining an area around the skate ramps as well as another section of the park.

Multiple major crimes detectives were also at the scene.

No additional details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting were available at last check.

If you have information that could help detectives, call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or submit a tip online at http://www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smart phones may also be used. All three Crime Stoppers methods of contact are anonymous.

UPDATED 5/28

Statement by RPD:

Information Sought in Fonticello/Carter Jones Park Homicide

The Richmond Police Department is asking for the public’s help to provide information, photos, and videos regarding the homicide of a young girl in Fonticello/Carter Jones Park last night.

At approximately 7:23 p.m. yesterday, officers were called to Fonticello/Carter Jones Park in the 2700 block of Bainbridge Street for the report of a shooting. Officers arrived and found that a juvenile female and a juvenile male had each been shot and were taken to a local hospital in a personal vehicle with life threatening injuries. The female succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

“This is a heartbreaking case where a young child’s life was taken and another child was injured due to gun violence,” said Major Crimes Lieutenant Faith Flippo. “We believe there were many people in the park last night and we’re asking anyone with information, photos or videos to provide it to detectives. Even the smallest bit of information could help us bring closure for both of these families.”

The Medical Examiner will determine cause and manner of death.

Anyone with photos, video, or information about this homicide is asked to email Major Crimes Detective Benjamin Neifeld at [email protected] or (804) 646-3246 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.

The young girl who died was Markiya Dickson and she was nine years old.  Statement from the victim’s family on CBS6:

Markiya Dickson was a feisty third grader who loved to dance and was excited to sing a Justin Bieber song at her school’s upcoming talent show. Her life was cut tragically short Sunday evening when she was shot and killed at Fonticello/Carter Jones Park.

“We just wanted to take them out, to have fun with them,” Markiya’s father Mark Whitfield said. “We were just about to leave and my daughter saw a friend.”