Multiple people have been hospitalized following a shooting at a bar near Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia late on Friday night as the college advised students to shelter in place.
Blacksburg Police responded to a call just before midnight on Friday at the Melody Hookah Lounge on North Main Street. It is not yet know how many people have been hospitalized or the nature of their injuries.
Police issued a statement early Saturday morning saying: “On Friday Feb. 4, 2022 at 11:53 p.m., the Blacksburg Police responded to the report of shots fired at the Melody Hookah Lounge located at 109 N Main St in downtown Blacksburg.”
“Multiple individuals were transported from the scene to local hospitals. Multiple law enforcement agencies are assisting in the area and following up on leads,” the police said.
Virginia Tech urged students to remain where they were.
“Reports of shots fired in Blacksburg. Stay inside. Secure doors. Emergency personnel responding. Call 911 for help,” the college’s official Twitter account posted.
Some time later, Virginia Tech tweeted: “Secure in place ended. Blacksburg Police continue to investigate. Avoid downtown.”
Logan Sherrill, an anchor with local WDBJ7, reported on Twitter that there was “No word on suspect(s)” as of early Saturday morning.
Sherrill also reported there was “No official word on the condition of the victims.”
WDBJ7 reporter Janay Reece was on the scene at the time of writing on Saturday morning. She had earlier reported that police were “responding to reports of a possible shooter near Virginia Tech.”
“Shots were reported about 12a in the area of West Roanoke St/Draper Rd. We’re hearing reports there could be multiple areas around campus possibly on campus impacted,” Reese said.
Those streets are in the same area as North Main St., close to the hookah lounge. Reese later shared video from the scene.
“I’m at Roanoke St. and N. Main St. — if you look closely you can see officers are monitoring the area near the hookah lounge,” Reese tweeted. “There are many speculations going around social media & we are working to confirm exactly what happened & how many people were affected.”
Blacksburg Police have appealed for anyone with information to “contact the Blacksburg Police Department at (540) 443-1400 or you can remain anonymous by calling the Blacksburg Police Tip Line at (540) 961-1819 or by emailing ciu@blacksburg.gov.”
Virginia Tech also urged anyone with information to come forward and shared the Blacksburg Police Department’s contact information.
Newsweek has asked the Blacksburg Police Department for comment.
UPDATE 02/05/22/ 03.50a.m. E.T.: This article was updated to include more information and a new image.
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