By: Maurice Williams

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – Richmond Police are looking for two armed robbers after a shooting injured several people Saturday morning.

Crime tape and police lights blocked a portion of 18th Street after several people were hurt in an early morning shooting at the Liquid Café in Shockoe Bottom.

“Sadness. The people of Richmond and Shockoe Bottom deserve better than to be living in fear.” Kevin Ledezma said.

Police say just after 5 a.m. on Saturday, two masked armed men entered and robbed the business, shooting five people and injuring another one inside.

Hours later, you could still see blood covering the floor and the top window shattered with broken pieces of glass in front of the building on the sidewalk.

“What’s going on now.” Farris Loutfi said.

“Richmond is changing rapidly, and I think Shockoe Bottom is following suit.” Remington Rand said.

Earlier in the week, three people were shot at Plush Nightclub – which is located a short walk away.

All Saturday morning, investigators could be seen taking several bags filled with evidence from inside the business.

Neighbors and business owners say they are seeing a rise in crime in the area and they want it to end.

“Nothing worse than showing up and trying to get into your building and there’s police take cutting it off,” Rand said.

“You walk by and say, ‘Oh, that’s a shame.’ But you get home and you say, ‘Oh.’ It really just hits you when you get home,” Ross Crawford said.

Richmond Police just installed a security camera in the area, one of them actually facing directly towards the business. Those who love the area say they must take extra steps to stay safe.

“The whole shooting thing, is it necessary? What’s the point?” Loutfi said.

The two armed robbers are still on the run tonight as police try to figure out just what was taken.

STATEMENT FROM POLICE CHIEF ALFRED DURHAM:

“I am certain that we can all agree that this increasing gun violence in Shockoe Bottom is unacceptable – this cannot be the norm. Someone knows the perpetrators of this crime and we need the public’s help. We need people to call us when they hear or see something. We are already working with several stakeholders in the Shockoe Bottom community and we will continue to develop public safety strategies to reduce violence and bring a sense of calm to the area.”

UPDATE FROM NBC12’S ERIC PERRY:

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