Norfolk, Virginia – Following a tragic shooting incident at Old Dominion University’s campus on Wednesday, reports indicate that it is the deadliest shooting to occur on a college campus nationwide in the past six months. Data from Everytown for Gun Safety reveals that this shooting is the seventh to take place on a college campus in the United States this year, with three of them resulting in fatalities.
Authorities from both the Norfolk Police Department and ODU police were called to the scene at parking lot 3 on 49th Street around 9:40 p.m. upon receiving reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered two individuals, Delanio M. Vick (18) and Timothy G. Williams Jr. (20), suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. Tragically, both men succumbed to their injuries after being transported to the hospital.
This incident joins a list of other campus shootings that have occurred across the nation this year. In the previous incidents, only two other shootings on college campuses have resulted in fatalities. The first incident took place on January 20 at East Carolina University in Greenville, where the shooter was shot and killed by the police in a parking lot after threatening self-harm and brandishing a gun at officers. The second incident occurred on February 17 at Western Michigan University, where an individual was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside the public safety building.
On August 26, 2024, at Rice University in Houston, marked the last time two individuals were killed in a shooting on a college campus. These events bring attention to the growing concern over gun violence on educational campuses nationwide.
In Virginia alone, there have been two shootings on school grounds this year, both in the Hampton Roads area. The first incident occurred at John Smith Elementary School in Hampton back in January, resulting in a man being charged after accidentally shooting and injuring himself in the school’s parking lot. The recent shooting at ODU is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding school safety and gun violence in the region.
Looking at neighboring North Carolina, data shows that the state has also experienced its share of campus-related shootings this year. With incidents at East Carolina University and Winston-Salem State University, these events highlight the need for increased security measures and support for mental health resources on college campuses to prevent future tragedies.
As communities continue to grapple with the impact of gun violence on school grounds, there is a growing call for comprehensive measures to address the root causes and provide a safe learning environment for all students and faculty.