Jamel Flint Identified as Blacksburg Shooting Suspect After One Killed Near Virginia Tech

Virginia police have identified Jamel Flint as the suspect in a fatal shooting near Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg.

Flint, 24, from Roanoke, is alleged to have shot and killed 18-year-old Isiah O. Robinson and injured at least four others in a shooting at a hookah lounge on Friday.

The Blacksburg Police Department (BPD) said in a statement that officers had obtained six felony warrants for Flint’s arrest.

These include murder in the first degree of Robinson, four counts of attempted murder in the first degree and one count of use of a firearm while committing or attempting to commit murder for the remaining four victims. Newsweek has reached out to the BPD for further comment.

In a Sunday Facebook post, a BPD spokesman said: “Mr. Jamel D. Flint has been taken into custody in Roanoke Virginia without incident.

“We would like to thank the community for their assistance along with the Blacksburg Rescue Squad, Virginia Tech Police Department, Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, Christiansburg Police Department, Virginia State Police, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the New River Valley 911 Center, the FBI and the US Marshals Service who took Mr. Flint into custody.

“This was truly a group effort to restore safety to the Blacksburg community.

“Though Mr. Flint is in custody, this continues to be an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Blacksburg Police Department at (540) 443-1400. You can remain anonymous by calling the Blacksburg Police Tip Line at (540) 961-1819 or by emailing ciu@blacksburg.go.”

In a Twitter post shared on Saturday, the Patrick Henry High School Football team paid tribute to their player Robinson.

It read: “We are saddened today by the loss of one of our own. Isiah will be missed and our hearts and prayers go out to his family, football family and friends. 3 #OneOfUs.”

Virginia Tech confirmed one of its students had been a victim in the shooting in a Saturday Facebook post.

The message from President Tim Sands read: “The Blacksburg Police Department has released a statement that one person was killed; four others were injured, one of whom was a Virginia Tech student.

“At this time, the names of the victims have not been released. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased and we extend our support to those who were injured.
“Events like this are difficult and unsettling to all of us. Please care for yourself and seek assistance if you need it. Campus resources are listed below. Our community is strong, and our strength is derived from our genuine care and concern for one another.

Virginia Tech itself was the location of a mass shooting where senior student 23-year-old Seung-Hui Cho killed 33 people in 2007.

According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a database that collects information about shootings from across the U.S., 52 people have died in Virginia this year after being shot with a firearm.

Data from the GVA also stated the incident on Friday was the first shooting that had happened in Blacksburg this year.