Support for Students Following Last Night's Gun Incident

Dear UVA Parents and Family Members:

To experience another gun incident in our area is deeply disturbing on many levels. Please know we are working diligently across the Division of Student Affairs to support students — from Housing & Residence Life to Student Health and Wellness and Student Safety and Support.

More details are in President Ryan’s message below, which went out to the University Community this morning. You will see that last night's shooting on Elliewood Avenue resulted in the death of someone who was a UVA contractor. We express our deepest condolences to that family.

President Ryan reiterates the availability of counseling services today for students: a special drop-in opportunity from noon to 3 p.m. at Student Health and Wellness. Telehealth services are also available via TimelyCare.

University officials are part of a broad team working from many angles to address and mitigate the gun violence in the larger Charlottesville community. More specific details are available in the UVA Today article published earlier this week.

Regards,

Robyn S. Hadley
Vice President and Dean of Students
Chief Student Affairs Officer

To the University Community,

Last night, members of our community received several UVA Alerts regarding a shooting that took place on Elliewood Avenue just after 2 a.m. One person was injured and transported to the UVA Medical Center. A suspect was observed getting into a silver sedan and fled the area traveling east on West Main Street away from University Grounds. If anyone has information about this incident, please contact Charlottesville Police at (434) 970-3280.

Early this morning Charlottesville Police confirmed that the victim passed away at UVA Health. University leaders and I extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family who are grieving this terrible loss. While a previous UVA Alert indicated the victim was not affiliated with UVA, we have since determined that he was a contractor with the University. Law enforcement is in contact with his family. We are not currently able to provide additional information about his identity but will provide an update when we can.

This is hard news to hear, especially after the Nov. 13 tragedy on Grounds. Counseling and support services are available to those who need them. Students can reach out for assistance through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and faculty and staff can contact the Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP) . CAPS will provide a drop-in opportunity at the Student Health & Wellness Building today from noon-3 p.m.

Unfortunately, this incident is part of a trend of increased gun violence in the Charlottesville-Albemarle region. Keeping members of this community safe is our most important responsibility. I have asked my colleagues Tim Longo and J.J. Wagner Davis to make this their highest priority and to work with their counterparts in Charlottesville and Albemarle County to reduce the gun violence in this region. Tim Longo is the Chief of University Police and Vice President for Safety and Security. J.J. Davis is our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Longo’s supervisor. They are experts, and they are dedicated. They know, as we all do, that this scourge must end. We will keep you apprised of our work and our progress.

Sincerely,

Jim Ryan
President