RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — It’s been a deadly weekend in the city of Richmond. Three people were murdered on Saturday in separate incidents and one of the victims was a 12-year-old girl.
Twelve-year-old Amiya Moses was shot Saturday night in the 4900 block of Old Brook Road. Amiya’s mother says her daughter was visiting a friend when she was shot and later died at the hospital.
“It’s like a nightmare — it’s like a terrible, terrible nightmare. I just want to wake up and I look over and my daughter is laying next to me,” said Kele Wright, Amiya’s mother.
Police say the shooting in which Amiya was killed stemmed from a neighborhood dispute two days prior, and the dispute had nothing to do with the young girl.
“It’s like a nightmare — it’s like a terrible, terrible nightmare.” — Kele Wright, the victim’s mother.
“Something where you could have said I am sorry. That’s the problem, a lot of folks today don’t know how to say I am sorry, they resort to gun violence,” said Richmond Police Chief, Alfred Durham.
Police do not believe the three homicides that occurred on Saturday are connected. The chief also says residents in the Old Brook Road neighborhood are providing investigators with tips that may assist in arresting the suspect who shot and killed Amiya.
“We are still experiencing a significant decrease in violent crime across the city, but that means nothing when a 12-year-old has been gunned down in the street. So again, we want to say trust in the police, but we need the community’s help. They have more eyes and ears than the 699 officers that I have,” said Durham.
Amiya was in the sixth grade and she just celebrated a birthday a few weeks ago. Her mother is now planning the funeral for her only child.
“I know she is still with me, she is with me every day. I know she is still here, I can feel her here, so my faith is going to keep me strong and keep me pushing because I know she wouldn’t want mommy to stop,” said Wright.
So far this year, there has been 38 homicides in the city of Richmond compared to 42 at the same time period in 2014. Police have made no arrests connected to Amiya’s murder, but anyone with information should contact police.
Police need the public’s assistance to solve these crimes. You may call Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 if you have any information. You can also text Crime Stoppers at 274637 and use the key word “ITip” followed by your tip. Both methods are anonymous.
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