Mount Jackson residents are mourning the loss of 19-year-old Virginia Commonwealth University student, Tyler J. Binsted.

Richmond Police say Binsted, a sophomore sculpture major at VCU, was murdered during the early morning hours on Thursday, during an apparent robbery around 1 a.m. in Byrd Park in Richmond.

Police responded to reports of a shooting in the 600 block of South Sheppard Street in Richmond. They found Binsted, who had been shot in the back after a robbery near the Byrd Park tennis courts, according to VCU and police accounts.

Police say Binsted and a female friend were walking through the park near the Monroe Park Campus of VCU when they were approached by two young men. Police say one suspect was armed with a gun.

Binsted and his friend were robbed of their car keys, and Binsted was shot in the back as they walked away. Police say the suspects fled in Binsted's car, a navy blue Honda Accord, with Virginia license plate PHA 787.

Police describe the suspects as black males, between 14 and 17 years old, who were last seen driving toward South Richmond by the Boulevard Bridge.

The Stonewall Jackson High School graduate is remembered by friends as an honors student and member of the National Honor Society.

Binsted was also a member of the Generals' 2006 Group A State Finals boys soccer team.