Police arrest man in Virginia hookah bar shooting
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BLACKSBURG, Va. (NewsNation Now) — A man in custody after one person was killed and four others injured during a shooting at a hookah lounge in Virginia Friday night, authorities said.
Police responded to reports of shots fired at Melody Hookah Lounge, near Virginia Tech’s campus, just before midnight.
Blacksburg Police Department has taken 24-year-old Jamel D. Flint of Roanoke into custody in connection to the shooting.
Tim Sands, the president of Virginia Tech, confirmed in a statement Saturday that one student was injured in the shooting.
“Events like this are difficult and unsettling to all of us,” Sands said. “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased and we extend our support to those who were injured.”
The injured student’s family said their son is out of surgery, recovering and seems to be doing well, Frank Shushok Jr., Virginia Tech’s vice president for student affairs, said on the university’s website.
“We continue to respect the privacy of the student, and we are grateful for the outpouring of care and support directed to him,” Shushok Jr. said.
In a Facebook post, Melody Hookah Lounge said more precautions and regulations will be added for these types of situations.
“We are deeply hurt and devastated (by) what happened Friday night,” the lounge wrote.
Police said a homicide investigation is underway.
Virginia Tech put out an alert on Twitter early Saturday morning telling students to secure in place but have since lifted the request.
“Incredibly saddened to see another act of gun violence in the Commonwealth this week. My heart is with the people of Blacksburg and the entire Virginia Tech community,” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a tweet.
The Associated Press and NesNation affiliate WRIC contributed to this report.