UPDATE Wednesday 7:35 p.m.: Radford University’s Associate Vice President of University Relations, Caitlyn Scaggs has released the following statement to WFXR News:
“At Radford University, the safety of our students is our top priority. The actions taken last night were driven by our desire and need to put the safety of our students first.
With the incident occurring in close proximity to campus, the Radford University Police Department issued a campus alert and asked individuals to remain inside. Once the Radford University Police Department secured the campus and issued an all clear, normal operations resumed.
During the time in which individuals were requested to remain inside, the Radford University Police Department was in constant communication with the Radford City Police Department to receive updates on the investigation. Additionally, the Radford University Police Department did a walk-through of every campus building before issuing the all clear.
At approximately 8:30 PM, there were reports of shots fired at an off-campus location within the City of Radford. Due to the shooter not being apprehended at the scene and the close proximity to campus, a campus alert was distributed at approximately 8:45 PM. The City of Radford Police Department is investigating this matter and has reported that it was an isolated incident and no individuals were injured. Several updates were posted on the University’s social media account and shared with local media outlets. An all clear was issued through the campus alert system at approximately 11:15 PM.”
Caitlyn Scaggs, Radford University Associate Vice President of University Relations
UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Radford University’s Associate Vice President of University Relations Caitlyn Scaggs has announced the all-clear has been given.
UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: Radford University’s Alert Notification sent out a message/tweet to all students that the campus can return to normal operations.
UPDATE 10:35 p.m.: WFXR News’ Eric Pointer is live from the scene.
UPDATE 10:15 p.m.: A brief statement from Radford University said no shots were fired on campus and there are no injuries:
“Social media reports of shots fired on campus are false. No injuries have been reported. The campus is not on lockdown but individuals are encouraged to remain inside until an all clear is issued.”
Caitlyn Scaggs, Radford University Associate Vice President of University Relations
UPDATE 10:04 p.m.: Jenni Wilder, public information coordinator for the city of Radford, said by email: “This is an isolated incident and a static event. This is not an active shooter event.”
UPDATE 9:50 p.m.: The Radford City Police Department released the following statement about tonight’s incident:
On 29 October 2019 at approximately 2025 hours, Radford City Police responded to the area of the 500 block of Fairfax Street, Radford, VA for a report of gunshots being fired. Police located a witness that described a red four door Ford Fusion that was approached on foot by a light skinned African American male (described further as 5’10” tall wearing a red jacket). The unknown suspect male fired approximately four gunshots near/at the vehicle and then fled on foot. This vehicle struck another parked vehicle as it left the area. No injuries have been reported at this time. The incident is under investigation by Radford City Police and citizens with information are asked to please contact 540-731-3624. Radford University released an ‘emergency notification’ immediately after this incident was reported to police. No further information will be released at this time.
Radford City Police Department
UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: Radford University tweeted the following messages, reiterating an earlier statement sent to WFXRtv.com:
UPDATE 9:29 p.m.: This statement was emailed to WFXRtv.com by Radford University regarding the report of shots fired near campus:
“Radford University distributed a campus alert regarding shots fired at an off-campus location within the City of Radford. This is an isolated incident and a developing police matter in which Radford University is awaiting additional details from the City of Radford Police Department. Once an all clear is received, a follow-up campus alert will be distributed.”
Caitlyn Scaggs
Associate Vice President for University Relations
UPDATE 9:10 p.m.: Images of the scene around Radford University are below. They were taken by WFXR’s Ralph Winfrey at the scene.
UPDATE 9:05 p.m.: The following text was sent out a short time ago and was submitted to WFXR News by a Radford student:
ORIGINAL STORY 9:01 P.M.: Radford University sent out an alert moments ago about shots fired near campus.
WFXR News is working on getting additional information.
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