Crime
1 injured in shooting inside Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights
Colonial Heights, VA – Authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon at Southpark Mall, leaving one person injured.
The shooting took place near Dick’s Sporting Goods at Southpark Mall.
Police confirmed that the victim, a 22-year-old resident of Hopewell, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
They were transported to a local hospital for treatment, though their current condition has not been disclosed.
Law enforcement officers are actively reviewing surveillance footage from the area to identify the suspect and piece together the sequence of events leading to the shooting.
Shoppers inside the mall reported hearing what sounded like gunfire, prompting panic and a swift evacuation as individuals ran for safety.
The mall has not released an official statement regarding its operations following the incident, and police have not provided further details about the suspect or motive.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Colonial Heights Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Two Children, Ages 9 and 10, Charged in Brutal Assault and Attempted Murder of 5-Year-Old A’Marie Jones in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two children, ages 9 and 10, have been formally charged in connection with the brutal assault and attempted murder of a 5-year-old girl A’marie Jones in Cleveland last month, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors confirmed that the 9-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl are facing serious felony charges, including attempted murder, rape, felonious assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.
Because of their ages, both suspects are being charged as juveniles.
The alleged attack occurred on September 13 in a field near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue, where investigators say the young victim was discovered severely injured.
The child’s mother, Antavia Kennibrew, previously told that her daughter suffered catastrophic injuries, describing the scene as “unbelievable.” Kennibrew said she had dropped her daughter off at a relative’s home near East 145th Street and St. Clair Avenue that day.
At some point, the 5-year-old reportedly wandered out of the house alone before being attacked.
“When I saw her, she was unrecognizable,” Kennibrew said. “Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood, her lips and mouth were swollen and bleeding, and her nails were filled with dirt and debris.”
First responders rushed the child to the hospital for emergency treatment. Officials say she continues to recover but has suffered severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. She is now undergoing ongoing therapy and counseling.
Due to the extreme sensitivity of the case and the involvement of minors, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has declined to release further details, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the victim’s privacy.
“The investigation remains active,” prosecutors said, noting that authorities are still reviewing evidence and gathering additional information.
Kennibrew says her focus now is on helping her daughter heal:
“I just want her to be able to live like a normal 5-year-old again.”
Cleveland police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.