HAMPTON, Va. — Two teens were shot during a fight at a bus stop near the intersection of Orcutt Avenue and Friendly Drive in Hampton Tuesday afternoon, according to the city's police.
Police say that the shooting occurred at the bus stop during a fight between multiple people, leaving an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old with non-life-threatening injuries.
Hampton City Schools shared with News 3 a statement Bethel High School Executive Principal Tanya Howard sent to Bethel families, addressing concerns about the shooting.
In the statement, Howard explained that she was aware of the "off-campus incident" at the Bethel High School bus stop near the intersection of Orcutt Avenue and Friendly Drive, where an "altercation" led to a shooting.
Howard says that school staff have contacted the families of the students who were at the bus stop.
While there was "no threat to the school," Howard says they plan to increase security measures at the campus on Wednesday.
"Please know there has been no threat to the school, and instruction will continue as normal," Howard said. "Out of an abundance of caution, we will have our weapons detection canines on campus tomorrow, as well as an increased police presence, to provide added reassurance for students and families."
Any students who need assistance will have counseling services and support staff available to them on Wednesday, Howard stated.
This statement comes after Hampton Public Safety Communications received a call about a shooting in the 8600 block of Orcutt Avenue around 3:26 p.m., police say.
While on the way to the scene, police say a second report came in detailing that a shooting had happened at the 7-Eleven in the 4900 block of W. Mercury Boulevard.
When arriving at Orcutt Avenue, officers found evidence of a shooting but did not locate any victims, police say. At the 7-Eleven, other responding officers found an 18-year-old male with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
The second teen injured, a 17-year-old male, walked into the Sentara Careplex with a graze wound, police say. Hampton Fire and Rescue sent the 18-year-old to the hospital for care.
Based on a preliminary investigation, officers learned that during a fight between multiple people, two people waved firearms around and began shooting, leading to the injuries of both teens.
The suspects fled the scene on foot before officers arrived, police say. The shooting is under investigation by detectives with the Hampton Police Division’s Major Crimes Unit.
Anyone with information is asked to call Hampton Police Division at 757–727–6111 or the Crime Line at 1–888-LOCK-U-UP.
Read Hampton City Schools' full statement below:
Below is the message that was sent to all Bethel families earlier this evening.
Good evening, this is Tanya Howard, the executive principal at Bethel High School. At Bethel, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are always our top priority.
As such, I want to inform you of a reported off-campus incident that occurred this afternoon. We have been made aware of an altercation at a Bethel High School bus stop near Friendly Drive and Orcutt Avenue that escalated to shots being fired. The Hampton Police Division responded quickly and are currently investigating. The families of the students who were present at the bus stop are being contacted directly by school staff.
Please know there has been no threat to the school, and instruction will continue as normal. Out of an abundance of caution, we will have our weapons detection canines on campus tomorrow, as well as an increased police presence, to provide added reassurance for students and families. In addition, counseling services and support staff will be available tomorrow for students needing assistance.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. We appreciate the partnership with our students and families. Thank you.
