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A Silver SUV, a BB Gun, and the Community Alert That Redefined 'Aggravated' for Grounds

VAaggravated assaulttimely warningmedium confidence
Under Investigation

The Charlottesville Police Department responded to an aggravated assault near the intersection of 14th Street and Grady Avenue on March 28, 2024, at approximately 10:04 p.m. EDT. A person fired a BB-type projectile from a gray or silver SUV containing four males, causing minor injuries. UVA Police Chief Timothy Longo issued a community alert to the campus.

Alerts
1
Response
Killed
Injured
Institution
University of Virginia
Public R1 · VA
~26,000 studentsUVA Alerts
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Approximate reconstruction947 chars
COMMUNITY ALERT University of Virginia Police Department Incident: Aggravated Assault Date/Time: Thursday, March 28, 2024 at approximately 10:04 p.m. Location: Intersection of 14th Street and Grady Avenue The Charlottesville Police Department responded to reports of a person firing a BB-type projectile from a gray or silver SUV with four males inside. Minor injuries have been reported. Suspect Vehicle: Gray or silver SUV Suspects: Four males inside the vehicle Anyone with information is asked to contact the Charlottesville Police Department at (434) 970-3280 or UVA Police at (434) 924-7166. Safety Tips: - If you observe suspicious activity, call 911 immediately - Be aware of your surroundings, especially after dark - Report any information about this incident, even if it seems minor This community alert is issued by UVA Police Chief Timothy J. Longo, Sr., Vice President for Safety and Security, in compliance with the Clery Act.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Signed by Timothy Longo, who serves the dual role of UVA Police Chief and Vice President for Safety and Security, a leadership structure adopted after the November 2022 shooting on Grounds
The intersection of 14th Street and Grady Avenue is on the northern edge of Grounds near student residential areas, placing it within UVA's Clery geography
UVA uses the term 'Community Alert' rather than 'Timely Warning' for its Clery Act notifications, rebranding the same legal requirement under a more approachable name
Context

Background

The University of Virginia issues Safety Advisories as its version of Clery Act timely warnings, triggered when a crime presents a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. This March 2024 aggravated assault was one of several BB-projectile incidents reported near Grounds in spring 2024; the Cavalier Daily reported a similar incident in May 2024. The intersection of 14th Street and Grady Avenue sits in the residential corridor north of the UVA Rotunda), an area heavily trafficked by students walking to and from off-Grounds housing. UVA's alert infrastructure was significantly overhauled after the November 13, 2022 shooting that killed three football players, with Timothy Longo brought in as both police chief and VP for security. The classification of a BB-gun attack as aggravated assault under Clery Act reporting criteria reflects the broad legal definition that includes any assault with a weapon capable of causing serious bodily harm.
Analysis

Key Findings

BB-type projectile attacks, while causing only minor injuries, meet the Clery Act definition of aggravated assault because they involve a weapon, triggering mandatory timely warning issuance
UVA experienced multiple BB-projectile aggravated assault incidents in spring 2024, suggesting a serial pattern that heightened campus concern
The community alert was issued by UVA's combined Police Chief and VP for Safety and Security, a leadership model adopted after the November 2022 shooting tragedy
UVA brands its timely warnings as 'Community Alerts' or 'Safety Advisories,' joining several peer institutions in moving away from Clery Act terminology
Outcome
Minor injuries reported. Suspects fled in a gray or silver SUV. No arrests reported at time of community alert. Investigation led by Charlottesville Police Department.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Student Paper
  2. Official
    UVA Police Division Safety Alerts
    uvapolice.virginia.edu
  3. Student Paper
Tags
aggravated-assaulttimely-warningbb-gunvirginiavehicle-based-attackserial-incidentsUnder Investigation
Added April 2026Updated April 2026Via ingestion