Two football players at Virginia University of Lynchburg were dismissed from the team Monday after being charged with malicious wounding and assault by mob in an attack early Sunday outside an apartment building at Early and Fauquier streets.
Two hours after the assault, gunshots were fired at the same location and police said they “found numerous spent shell casings in the area of the Parkside Manor Apartments…”
No one was injured in the gunfire.
Police officers responding to the assault call at 12:32 a.m. Sunday said they found a man with injuries to his face.
He was treated at a hospital and released.
Investigators said “numerous males assaulted the victim.” Two were identified.
Christopher Anthony Washington, of Washington, D.C., and Dontra Dynell Matthews, of Palatka, Fla., were arrested Monday and charged with malicious wounding and assault by mob.
Investigators continue to look for whoever fired the shots, as well as any other individuals involved in the assault.
The shooting may have been payback for the earlier assault, according to police.
VUL, which is putting a football team on the field for the first time in many years, announced the two players were “removed from their scholarships, academic duties, and football obligations and have been sent home.”
VUL released a statement Monday saying the assault was “an isolated incident” and pledged their full support to investigators in assuring all the responsible parties are arrested.
“In light of the incidents that took place last night between members of the VUL football team and the community, on behalf of President Ralph Reavis, the VUL administration and entire athletic department, we offer our deepest apologies on these matters.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any act of violence that causes harm to our students, faculty, facilities and especially to our community. … VUL is diligently and closely working with the police departments to bring the offenders into custody.”
Anyone with information regarding the crimes or the identity of the suspects is asked to call Detective T.A. Rodes at (434) 455-6176, Detective R.G. Miller at (434) 455-6160, or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900, visit the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers website at www.cvcrimestoppers.org to enter a web tip, or text “CVCS” plus the message to 274637.
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