Richmond, VA — A 17-year-old boy was found dead in the backyard of a home in Henrico County on Monday morning, just steps away from a local elementary school. The discovery, made shortly before dawn, has left the community shaken and searching for answers.
The incident occurred in the quiet neighborhood off Reynolds Road, not far from Ratcliffe Elementary School, where children were arriving for the start of their school day. As parents dropped off their children for the new week of learning, they were met with an alarming scene. Bright yellow evidence markers were visible across the street, mapping remnants of what appeared to be a violent altercation.
A local mother, who wished to remain anonymous, described the shock of seeing shell casings scattered near the school grounds. “When I took my kids to school this morning, they were picking up shell casings across the street,” she said in an interview with 8News.
Neighbors reported hearing gunshots in the early morning hours, with one resident recalling the sound of rapid fire echoing through the normally quiet street. “It sounded like someone was at war,” the neighbor said. Several witnesses told authorities they woke up around 3 a.m. to the sound of gunshots, followed by a heavy police presence that arrived just hours later. By 6 a.m., the area was flooded with sirens and emergency vehicles.
Henrico County Police confirmed that the body of the teenager was found in a backyard, but authorities did not release the identity of the victim. While police have classified the incident as a homicide, they have not yet confirmed any details surrounding the shooting or a possible motive. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the case and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
“The situation is still under investigation, and we are following several leads,” a spokesperson for the Henrico County Police Department said. “At this time, we can’t provide further details. We are asking the public to remain vigilant and report any information, no matter how small it may seem.”
The prolonged wait for police to complete their investigation has left the community deeply unsettled. “This child has been out here since, I’m assuming, when it first happened at 3:10 this morning,” said one mother, who expressed her distress over the hours-long delay before the victim’s body was removed. “Here we are… hours later. This child still is outside. And that’s nothing no parent should have to go through.”
As families in the neighborhood process the tragedy, there is heightened concern about safety. One neighbor expressed worry over the possibility of further violence, especially with the holiday season approaching. “I’m more worried about my children,” the neighbor said. “No parent should have to go through that… right here at the holidays.”
Though Henrico County Police have not confirmed any of the circulating theories or rumors surrounding the shooting, investigators are actively working to piece together the events that led to the young man’s death. The department is asking for any tips or information from the public, which could aid in uncovering the circumstances behind the shooting.
“We are encouraging anyone who may know something, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to come forward,” said the police spokesperson.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, with many parents and residents hoping for answers in the coming days. The tragic incident, so close to a school and in the early hours of the morning, has left many in the neighborhood worried about the safety of their children and the future of their community.
