NORFOLK, Va. — Two individuals are hospitalized with life-threatening injuries following a shooting near Old Dominion University (ODU) late Wednesday night, February 26, 2025. The Norfolk Police Department responded to reports of the shooting at approximately 9:40 p.m. on West 49th Street, close to the Broderick Dining Commons.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. According to police, the victims were injured just outside the major dining hall on the university's campus. An immediate investigation was launched, with officers from both Norfolk Police and ODU Police on the scene. Eyewitnesses reported seeing police handcuffing an individual at the site, raising questions about potential suspect apprehension.
Following the incident, ODU sent out urgent alerts advising students to stay indoors. An alert from ODU explicitly instructed, "ODU Police is investigating a shooting incident. Suspect is at large. Remain indoors at this time," indicating the seriousness of the situation. The alert emphasized community safety as the police worked to gather more details about the event.
According to Noel Lipieko, spokeswoman for the Norfolk Police Department, the investigation is still underway, and no suspect information has been made public. “The investigation is still underway,” she stated, underscoring the urgency and importance of their efforts to secure the area and find answers.
Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot, when reached for comments, said, “We will certainly get the message out when we get ourselves together,” indicating the necessity for careful communication as details continue to evolve.
This incident raised immediate safety concerns, as it occurred near key campus facilities. Broderick Dining Commons serves as a central location for students, which means the shooting struck close to the heart of university life. The proximity of this event to student housing, including the Dominion House dormitory and the Diehn Center for the Performing Arts, has heightened alarms among students and faculty alike.
The shooting took place just after dark, and responders quickly arrived to secure the area. Reports indicated the presence of multiple law enforcement officers at the scene, illustrating the comprehensive response to the shooting incident. Police visibility not only serves to conduct the investigation but also offers reassurance to the campus community amid growing apprehensions.
Images from the scene show police cordoning off areas around the dining commons as they work through the potential evidence and eyewitness accounts. ODU’s police force maintains joint jurisdiction with the city of Norfolk, allowing them to collaborate extensively during such events.
While the investigation continues, students are left grappling with the shock of violence so close to their campus. Some have turned to social media to express their fears and concerns about safety on and around ODU’s campus, noting how unexpected such incidents can be, especially within academic settings historically viewed as secure.
Norfolk Police are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward, as such input can be invaluable to piecing together what transpired. Given the nature of this event, police are particularly interested in any details or sightings from the community at or around the time of the shooting.
Community members and student organizations have also begun discussing measures to increase safety on campus, calling for more visible security, improved campus resources, and open dialogues about safety. The university environment, meant to be one of learning and growth, now faces a moment calling for reflection on security protocols, student mental health, and community resilience.
This remains a developing story. Local news outlets, including WAVY and 13News Now, promise to keep the public updated with the latest information as authorities continue to investigate. Their coverage serves as both a news source and as reassurance to those affected by the incident and the community at large.
With police investigations still active and outstanding questions about the safety of students and staff, this incident serves as yet another reminder of the fragility of security within educational environments. Community members hope swift actions by authorities may bring clarity and safety back to the ODU campus soon.