In the early hours of a Sunday morning, the life of 18-year-old Naseem Kariem King of Varina, a male, was tragically cut short. On June 1, 2025, at approximately 1:47 a.m., King was driving his Nissan Maxima eastbound on Interstate 64 in Richmond, Virginia, when he was struck by gunfire near exit 187. The vehicle, carrying two other occupants who were unharmed, exited onto the ramp for Interstate 95 and came to a stop on the shoulder.
Naseem Kariem King died at the scene.
A recent graduate of Varina High School, King was reportedly on his way to a party. His family remembers him as a good kid who wanted to make his mother proud. He had recently received a scholarship for a graphic design program in Orlando, Florida, and had an interview scheduled for a forklift apprenticeship. In the wake of his death, his mother was to receive his high school diploma in his honor.
The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to the incident and immediately launched a homicide investigation. The shooting led to the closure of all eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 at Staples Mill Road in Henrico County for several hours, causing significant traffic delays.
As of the latest available reports, the investigation into the death of Naseem Kariem King remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and a motive have not been released. Virginia State Police have not provided any recent updates on the progress of their investigation.
