RICHMOND, VA — Richmond police are investigating a shooting near Virginia Union University that left two men hurt during the school’s homecoming celebrations Saturday night.
Officers were called to the 1500 block of North Lombardy Street at about 8:33 p.m. and found one man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with injuries police described as non-life-threatening.
A second man later showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound, and police said his injuries were also not considered life-threatening. Investigators are still working to piece together exactly what happened before the shots were fired.
Police say campus officers were already in place and reached the scene quickly
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said officers were already on campus for homecoming security when the violence broke out. In remarks shared during a press briefing, he said they were able to get to the shooting scene in roughly one minute.
That quick response came as students and visitors were gathered around the university for one of its biggest annual events. Edwards said the presence of law enforcement nearby helped officers move rapidly once the gunfire was reported.
Police have not said whether any suspects have been identified or whether arrests have been made. The investigation remains active as detectives continue to collect information from people who were nearby.
Investigators believe an argument near Henderson Hall turned into gunfire
Edwards said investigators think the shooting began after an altercation near Henderson Hall escalated. He did not describe what sparked the argument, but police believe it led to the shots that injured the two men.
He also said there were many people in the area when the shooting happened. After the gunfire started, numerous bystanders ran from the scene, making it harder to immediately sort out what took place.
The area around the university was crowded because of homecoming festivities, and police are trying to determine the sequence of events that led from the dispute to the shooting. Officials have not released further details about the people involved.
Students described thousands gathered for the homecoming festivities
People on campus said the celebration drew a large turnout. Students who spoke with Virginia Statewide Incidents said thousands of people had come out for the homecoming events.
When reporters arrived on scene, a large crowd could still be seen moving away from the area. The scene reflected how quickly a festive gathering shifted into a police investigation after the shots were fired.
Homecoming at Virginia Union University is a major campus event, and Saturday night’s shooting disrupted what had been an energetic celebration. Police have not said whether the incident happened inside a university building or outdoors near the campus area.
Witnesses and anyone with video are being asked to contact police
Edwards urged anyone who saw the shooting or captured video to reach out to investigators. He specifically asked people who ran from the area, as well as anyone else who may have recorded the incident, to share what they know.
Police are looking for information that could help identify how the confrontation started and who was present when the gunfire erupted. In a crowded setting like homecoming, videos and eyewitness accounts can be especially useful to detectives.
Authorities have not released a description of any suspect or said whether investigators recovered a weapon. For now, the case remains centered on sorting out the timeline and the people involved.
The investigation continues as officers look for more leads
The shooting remains under investigation by Richmond police. Officials have said the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, but they have not released additional information about the two men’s conditions.
Because the case developed during a large public gathering, police are likely to rely on witness statements, campus security information and any available video footage. Edwards said the department wants to hear from anyone with first-hand knowledge.
WTVR said the story is developing, and police have not announced a final account of what caused the shooting. For now, investigators are focusing on the altercation near Henderson Hall and the moments that followed.
