David Delong Gerald was charged last week for his alleged involvement in a February armed assault of two University students, according to Charlottesville City Police Sergeant Richard Hudson.
Gerald allegedly robbed fourth-year College students Josh Hailey and Emily Sigmon at gunpoint before midnight Feb. 18. Hailey was shot in the right leg during the assault.
Gerald is charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of robbery, Deputy Commonwealth Attorney Claude Worrell said.
According to a report in the Daily Progress, Gerald turned himself in to the police. Investigators did not return calls seeking confirmation by press time.
Gerald, who is 22 years old, previously has been convicted of robbery and at least one other felony, according to a Charlottesville Police Department press release.
"It certainly is a credit to the police investigation that someone was apprehended so quickly," University Spokesperson Carol Wood said.
Sigmon indicated that the arrest increased her confidence in the ability of area police to solve area crimes.
"It's really encouraging," Sigmon said. "The police did a great job with this."
Despite last week's arrest, Sigmon and Hailey said they felt safety has not improved significantly around the University.
"Incidents like this could be prevented by patrol cars at night," Sigmon said.
The University has made counseling services available for assault victims.
Hailey said that the University has been "very accommodating" with counseling and transportation needs but that University safety concerns have not been addressed adequately.
Hailey and Sigmon were walking on the 300 block of 15th Street from the Corner, when they were approached by a man who demanded Sigmon's purse and unspecific belongings from Hailey. As Hailey presented his wallet, the assailant shot him and ran away with the wallet and Sigmon's purse, according to Hailey's February account.
Four other assaults occurred on Grounds and in the greater University area the weekend of Feb. 26 and 27, three of which involved University students.
Hudson could not confirm a connection between the 15th Street shooting and any other criminal activity in the University area.
Gerald remains in police custody, and his preliminary hearing is set for April 28.
Documents available at the time were "unclear" in specifying any bond arrangements, Worrell said.
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