RICHMOND, VA — Tragedy struck Richmond’s East End on Sunday afternoon when a pregnant woman, identified as Keyonna Ford, also known as “Yaya Mone’a,” was fatally shot. The 27-year-old, a mother of four who was expecting her fifth child, died from injuries sustained in the shooting, leaving family, friends, and the community reeling from the heartbreaking loss.
The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. in the Fairfield Court public housing neighborhood, a known area in Richmond’s East End. Police responded to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire, finding Keyonna at the location with serious injuries. First responders rushed her to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but despite all efforts, she was pronounced dead later that afternoon.
Keyonna’s death has sent shockwaves through her community, where she was well-known and beloved for her vibrant personality and warm spirit. Her family, devastated by the loss, is now grappling with the untimely and senseless violence that took the life of a mother and an expectant parent.
Keyonna, who was affectionately known as “Yaya Mone’a” on social media, was a devoted mother of four children, all of whom are now left to mourn the loss of their mother and sibling. She had been looking forward to the birth of her fifth child, a journey she would tragically never complete. Those closest to her described Keyonna as a woman who put family above all else, always striving to care for and protect her children.
“This loss is incomprehensible,” said a close friend of Keyonna’s, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Yaya was everything to her family. She was the heart and soul of her kids’ lives. She had so much love to give, and it’s just heartbreaking that her life was taken so senselessly.”
As Richmond police continue their investigation into the shooting, they have yet to release additional details, including potential suspects or motives. However, authorities have confirmed that they are treating the case as a homicide, and the community is rallying for justice.
Family members are seeking answers and closure, with Keyonna’s mother, [Mother’s Name], pleading for anyone with information to come forward. “My daughter was taken from us, and my grandchildren have lost their mother,” she said in an emotional statement. “We need justice, not just for Yaya, but for all the lives lost to violence.”
In the wake of the tragedy, family, friends, and community members have begun gathering at memorials and holding vigils to honor Keyonna’s memory. Supporters have also created GoFundMe campaigns to assist with funeral expenses and to provide for the care of Keyonna’s children, who now face an uncertain future without their mother.
Richmond Police have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact them or to reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Authorities have also emphasized the importance of community involvement in solving such senseless acts of violence, which continue to plague neighborhoods across the city.
Keyonna’s death highlights the continuing issue of gun violence in Richmond and the devastating consequences it has on families and communities. The loss of a young mother, a woman with so much to live for, underscores the need for further efforts to combat violence and ensure the safety of those who live in vulnerable communities.
As her family navigates the immense pain of this tragic loss, they are united in their hope for justice and in their commitment to keeping Keyonna’s memory alive. “Yaya Mone’a” will forever be remembered for her love, her strength, and the joy she brought to those around her. Her children, though left with a void that can never be filled, will carry on her legacy and cherish the moments they shared with their beloved mother.