Richmond, Virginia: Man Charged With Attempted Murder in Virginia Union Homecoming Shooting

Richmond police have charged a 22-year-old Richmond man with attempted murder after a shooting at Virginia Union University on Saturday night, October 24, as the university's homecoming events were ending. Police say the man, Avantae Brooks, was one of two men wounded in the shooting, and that detectives determined he accidentally shot himself during a confrontation on campus.

What police say happened

Police were called to the campus on North Lombardy Street at about 8:33 p.m. on Saturday. Officers found one man with an apparent gunshot wound, and he was taken to a local hospital with an injury police described as not life threatening. A second injured man, later identified as Brooks, reached a hospital by personal vehicle with a gunshot wound that was also described as not life threatening.

Officers were already stationed on campus for the homecoming celebrations, and Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said during a briefing that night that they reached the scene within about one minute. Detectives viewed images from university security cameras, interviewed witnesses and used other investigative techniques, a police spokesperson said. They determined the shooting followed a confrontation among several individuals, and that the injuries to Brooks came from accidentally shooting himself.

Brooks was charged on Sunday, October 25, with attempted murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, in the shooting of the other man. Police have not said whether Brooks is affiliated with the university. The charges are accusations, and Brooks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A second shooting in homecoming week

Saturday's shooting was the second at the university during homecoming week. On Tuesday night, October 20, a man was injured in a shooting on campus near the Huntley Building, and the university issued a temporary lockdown while police investigated. Authorities have not established whether the two shootings are connected.

The university response

In a statement to the campus community, Virginia Union University said police have stated there is no threat to the campus or the surrounding community at this time. The university said security checks have increased, additional security personnel have been deployed, and officers will conduct residence hall checks supported by roving security personnel. It asked students to report safety concerns to campus police and to call 911 in an emergency.

Police asked anyone who witnessed Saturday's shooting or has information about the confrontation to contact Major Crimes Detective James Higgins at 804-646-7570. Information can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 804-780-1000.