VCU students share thoughts on gun violence

Jack Glagola, News Editor

Eighty-nine percent of students, faculty and staff report feeling safe at VCU, according to a survey conducted in Spring of 2023. However, students and Richmonders interviewed expressed some concerns about gun violence.

There were 59 shooting deaths in Richmond last year, according to the Richmond Police Department — two of the deaths were in a shooting near VCU campus outside the Altria Theater last summer, according to VPM.

Most gun violence in Richmond occurs in concentrated areas of the city, such as public housing communities and areas with high incidences of poverty, according to Richmond’s 2022 Gun Violence Prevention and Intervention framework.

At VCU, only police officers are currently permitted to carry weapons such as firearms on campus, according to VCU policy.

Andrew Hilborn, a dual enrollment student at VCU, said crimes are rooted in economic desperation.

“If you started addressing that, you’ll see less gun violence inherently,” he said.

Thrishaa Jayaprakash, a third-year biomedical engineering major, said the feeling on campus can be a “little jarring.”

“We get the VCU updates about armed violence, or this or that, and usually it’s not too far from where we are now,” Jayaprakash said.

Jayaprakash said she said she feels safe in daylight and with other people.

VCU’s location in the heart of Richmond provides a reason to stay vigilant, Jayaprakash said.

“I think the fear is always going to be there because we’re such an open campus, but I just hope it doesn’t happen here,” she said.

It is important to stay informed of what to do in certain situations, Jayaprakash said. However, she feels unsure of what to do if there is an armed robbery or other crime.

The VCU Police text alerts “really help” with knowing what areas to avoid, said Fatima Shaikh, a third-year biomedical engineering major.

“I like to see the police around — security and stuff,” Shaikh said.

Shaikh said the increased police presence after the Altria Theater shooting helped with morale.

“Just in general, to show that this school cares about the safety of students,” she said.

There should be a better effort to keep people who disturb the peace away from campus, said Jaquan Bligen, a second-year health and physical education major.

“Sometimes when people are playing, or whatever, and get into arguments in the gym and start threatening people — we’re students, we ain’t got time for that,” he said.

Bligen said “it’s crazy that we even have to worry about” mass shootings.

“It can happen anywhere. Even when you are alert, you really can’t prevent it,” he said. “You just have to try your best to be as safe as possible. And just pray for the best, obviously.”

Police should be more in tune with the community, Bligen said.

“I don’t think a lot of them really know. I feel like if you were in the community with us, and asking what’s going on, and working with us, then we could probably work against that,” he said.

Jon Morris, a self-employed Richmond resident, said he thinks it is too easy for anyone to obtain a gun.

“Getting one is like a driver’s license — they can easily fall into the wrong hands,” Morris said.

The focus ought to be getting at-risk groups out of the cycle of crime, Adam Moran, a paralegal, said.

“In terms of gun violence, strategies and policy work. There needs to be more funding for outreach programs from the police department to the community,” he said.