Two people were killed in separate shootings in Richmond on Saturday night, police said Sunday.
One shooting killed a suspected gang member, identified as 26-year-old Melvin James, and critically wounded his 29-year-old brother, according to interim police Chief Allwyn Brown.
They were both shot during a shootout in the 900 block of Lincoln Avenue. James was pronounced dead there. His brother fled the area and was later found at a residence in the 100 block of 17th Street, Brown said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Police are continuing to investigate and suspect the motive for the shooting was gang-related.
Also on Saturday, Kori Shanelle Mattie, 26, was shot and killed by two male assailants near the Civic Center Motel at 425 24th St., Brown said.
The motive for the shooting remains unclear, Brown said.
In a letter to city officials, Brown said investigators are concerned that recent shootings could potentially lead to further retaliatory violence between the city's gangs.
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All of Richmond's homicide investigation resources were devoted to the violence on Saturday night and special investigators have been called in to watch for signs of retaliation, Brown said.
They will be working with partners in the city's Ceasefire program, a gun violence prevention approach that involves coordination between multiple law enforcement and community organizations, as well as the FBI Safe Streets Task Force to prevent any escalation in gun violence, Brown said.
