Overnight, eight people shot in Harrisonburg, Virginia: Shooting suspect in custody
On Sunday, October 16, police in Harrisonburg, Virginia, announced that they had a suspect in custody that they believe responsible for the shootings that went down near the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg during yesterday’s early morning when eight people were shot. All of those victims are expected to survive, according to CBS News.
On Sunday afternoon, police announced they had arrested a suspect, identified as 20-year-old Tyreaf Isaiah Fleming, on charges of attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, the city of Harrisonburg tweeted Sunday.
Also yesterday, author Ron Peterson, Jr, tweeted that the shooting suspect was in the news “back in 2014 as an 11-year-old” as a runaway.
According to the Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD,) Fleming was arrested Sunday afternoon following the shootings which occurred in the 1500 block of Devon Lane. Those shootings that left eight individuals with various degrees of “non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.”
In addition to the criminal charges listed above, police say that the shooter may have more charges added as the police investigation continues.
“I am grateful for the quick response of all of our first responders and the hard work of our officers in identifying a suspect and bringing him into custody,” Harrisonburg Police Department Chief Kelley Warner said.
“Our work continues on this case as we investigate all aspects of this incident and determine if any other individuals were involved. We will ensure any updates are provided to our community as soon as additional information is available.”
The shootings occurred at approximately 2:20 a.m., when witnesses stated that an individual or individuals fired multiple times into a crowd at an outdoor gathering. Witness statements and available security camera video helped HPD identify Fleming as a suspect. Police have not yet released a motive for the shootings.
Five of those injured were treated at Sentara RMH, with three additional individuals transported to UVA. Patients range in age from 18 to 27. MSN shared Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Renee Reed as saying yesterday that she was praying for the recovery of those injured while condemning the shooting.
“There is no place for violence such as this in our society. Certainly not in Harrisonburg, a community that at its heart will always remain committed to being a loving, welcoming place where all feel safe,” she said in a statement. “No one, and no act, can shake us from that belief.”
Anyone with any information regarding the shootings is asked to contact Det. Thurston at 540-432-7787 or brittany.thurston@harrisonburgva.gov, or call the HPD tip line at 540-574-5050.
For more on the shootings in Harrisonburg, Virginia, see the video accompanying this article.
(Cover photo, 1500 Block Devon Lane, Harrisonburg, Va. Shooting, Image credit: YouTube)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
