RADFORD – A Radford University student fired a gun on campus Tuesday and was quickly apprehended by a Radford City Sheriff’s Office deputy.
According to the Radford University Police Department, the department was “notified of a discharge of a firearm near Muse Hall” on Tuesday, April 20, at approximately 1:54 p.m.
“A deputy with the Radford City Sheriff’s Office was in the immediate area, observed the incident, immediately followed the fleeing suspect, and placed the suspect in custody at 1:56 p.m., as officers from the Radford University Police Department and Radford City Police Department arrived on scene,” according to the RUPD.
“After the suspect was placed in custody, no other threats to public safety were identified as part of this isolated incident,” a statement from Radford’s police department said. “As there was no immediate or on-going threat to the main campus or the broader community, no timely warning was issued. Also, early information, which was obtained by responding officers, indicated that this incident resulted from an altercation between parties known to each other.
“The suspect in this case has been identified as a Radford University student, who has been placed on interim suspension as a direct result of today’s incident. The suspect remains in custody pending charges resulting from this incident.”
In its statement about the incident, the Radford University Police Department thanked the Radford City Sheriff’s Office and the Radford City Police Department for their assistance with the incident. Radford City Public Schools were in a “shelter in place” from 2 p.m. until the end of the school day out of an “abundance of caution,” said Radford City Schools Superintendent Robert Graham in a recorded announcement to the school community. During a shelter in place, students proceed with normal operations but remain in their respective classrooms.
Anyone with additional information regarding the case is asked to contact Sergeant Chris Moore at 540-831-5500.
— Heather Bell