A night that was supposed to be a birthday celebration in Richmond, Virginia’s historic Shockoe Bottom entertainment district turned devastating early Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, when a street confrontation escalated into gunfire, resulting in two deaths and seven injuries in what officials are calling a mass shooting.
The shooting happened at 2:47 a.m. on North 18th Street, more than 45 minutes after bars had closed. A nearby patrol officer saw a large commotion and arrived even before 911 calls began. She found 23-year-old Genesis Tamar Jones of Petersburg already deceased. Officers then found a second victim, 42-year-old Dominic Antoine Jackson of Henrico, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Seven additional people sustained gunshot wounds. One woman remained in critical condition. Four of the injured were transported by the Richmond Ambulance Authority, while three arrived at hospitals in private vehicles. Officers provided urgent medical care on-site, applying tourniquets and pressure to injuries.
Genesis Jones had been out celebrating her brother’s birthday when the gunfire erupted. Her older brother, Zekiah Jones, was inside Margarita’s Cantina when he heard the shots. He described his sister as “the life of the party,” someone who connected with everyone. Police say Genesis was not involved in any dispute and was simply walking by when she was hit—an innocent bystander caught in the turmoil.
Dominic Jackson, a father of two and soon-to-be grandfather, leaves behind a heartbroken family now preparing for a funeral instead of a long-awaited joyful moment.
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said surveillance footage indicates the violence began with a fight between two groups after bars closed at 2 a.m. What began as shoving and punching quickly intensified when several people pulled out guns. Edwards confirmed at least two shooters fired shots from different positions.
The crime scene covered a wide area. Investigators gathered more than 50 shell casings and two firearms, noting at least four separate calibers. Police seized six vehicles as evidence and are still looking for additional weapons believed to be involved. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with ballistics analysis. Evidence markers at the scene numbered into the 60s.
Surveillance footage shows many bystanders recording the confrontation on their phones before shots were fired. Chief Edwards urged anyone with such videos to share them with investigators, stressing that community footage could be essential to identifying those responsible.
The shooting has reignited concerns about ongoing violence in Shockoe Bottom, a nightlife hub that has faced persistent safety issues. Last year, a Richmond officer described the area as “an absolute disaster” due to repeated firearm-related incidents, according to an email obtained by local reporters. In response, Richmond Police required mandatory overtime throughout summer and fall 2025, assigning around a dozen officers to the district every Friday and Saturday night. Hundreds of guns are stolen annually from vehicles parked nearby.
Brody Layne, a resident living a few blocks from the shooting site, expressed frustration over the ongoing violence and questioned whether current police strategies are working. Another resident, Andrea Daughtry, said the constant incidents have normalized violence and reduced the area’s appeal. Local businesses are already feeling the impact—one restaurant saw more than 65 reservation cancellations on Feb. 22.
The city’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention, established in spring 2025 under Mayor Avula, has been developing intervention efforts. Avula acknowledged on Saturday that certain programs had not launched quickly enough and pledged to have new measures operational by spring.
Richmond Police continue to dedicate extensive resources to the investigation. Major Crimes Detective J. DeBoard is heading the case and urges anyone with information to call 804-646-6795. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000 or through the P3 Tips mobile app.
This incident marks the most serious act of violence in Richmond so far in 2026 and one of the deadliest the city has experienced in recent years.