Two Days of Tragedy Leave a Family and Community in Mourning

A Richmond family is grieving an unimaginable series of events after two lives were lost within less than 24 hours, leaving children and loved ones to cope with an overwhelming loss.

According to authorities, 35-year-old Larry Johnson, the father of one of Jazmin Wooten-Mitchell’s children, was killed in a traffic crash. Before family and friends had time to process that tragedy, Jazmin Wooten-Mitchell also died during an encounter with police the following day.

In the hours before her death, Jazmin shared messages on social media that many later interpreted as signs of severe emotional distress. Those posts have prompted renewed conversations about the importance of recognizing mental health crises and ensuring people have access to timely support.

Police said officers responded to reports of gunfire at the Belt Atlantic Apartments. According to investigators, Jazmin was armed, officers repeatedly instructed her to drop the weapon, and one officer ultimately discharged their firearm. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident remains subject to official investigation.

The deaths have left children mourning the loss of both parents in an extraordinarily short period of time, while family members, friends, and the wider community continue searching for answers and trying to understand how events unfolded so rapidly.

As investigations continue, the tragedy has also renewed discussion about the complex intersection of grief, trauma, mental health, and law enforcement responses to crisis situations. While many questions remain, the focus for those closest to the family is on supporting the children and honoring the memories of those who lost their lives.

If you or someone you know is showing signs of overwhelming grief or talking about wanting to “check out” or expressing thoughts of hopelessness, reaching out to trusted family, friends, mental health professionals, or emergency services can be an important step in getting immediate support.