Two male University students were robbed at gunpoint over the weekend in yet another crime with a student victim near Grounds.
The students were walking home from the Corner at 4 a.m. Friday. A car pulled up to the students as they started down the 1600 block of University Avenue and a suspect jumped out of the vehicle, pulled a gun on the two and demanded their property, said Sergeant Stephen Upman of Charlottesville Police.
The students complied with the request and nobody was injured, Upman said. The suspects have been described as two black males and one white male, about 16 to 20 years of age. No suspects have been apprehended as of yet, but the incident is currently under investigation, police said.
This incident follows a string of crimes that have involved University students, including the attempted robbery of a student in the Colonnades by Lambeth Field Apartments and the shooting of a student in the 1000 block of Wertland St. early last month.
"Obviously we are deeply disturbed by another attack on a student, particularly involving a gun," Dean of Students Penny Rue said.
Rue noted that increasing the level of student safety will require collaboration between law enforcement, students and the public, along with investigative efforts.
"We will always work with the University on any issues that seem to affect their areas on campus and the areas that we protect in the city," Upman said.
He suggested that students make an effort to walk in groups and to cooperate fully if approached by individuals, as happened in this case.
"Property is not worth getting hurt or seriously injured over," he said.
According to Rue, the safety committee of the Student Council is also currently working to address these issues.
"Unfortunately, students make enticing targets for criminals," she said. "We do urge students to take precautions; our community sometimes feels safer than it is."
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 18 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 4 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
