Policing is Stepped up Around Old Dominion University in Norfolk After Student Killing

Violent crimes around Old Dominion University in Norfolk have students and authorities on edge. Now police say they are beefing up law enforcement near the school following the tragic killing of a student off campus over the weekend.

The Virginian-Pilot reported on how Paul Johnson, a 20-year-old math major from Richmond, was assaulted in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven near the 1000 block of 48th St. The student received serious head injuries and died later. Reports suggested he was not even involved in the incident that sparked the assault.

The article in the Virginian-Pilot described the student’s death as “the latest in a series of violent crimes against ODU students and follows previous police pledges to beef up security in the area.”

Police found Johnson lying in the lot with severe head injuries. He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he later died. A 21-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder.

The Pilot reported on a litany of incidents around ODS, including one rape, two stabbings and four shootings near the university in the past year and a half.

In an email to students, ODU President John R. Broderick said he had spoken to city officials who “promised to devote additional police resources to this investigation and to engage in further dialogue with the university community about safety issues and concerns.”

When students leave home to study on a college campus, they are entitled to expect a safe environment. In the case of ODU, the recent incidents have occurred off campus. However, universities can be liable for crime that takes place on their premises, if security is inadequate.

Families of some of the victims of the mass shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007, filed lawsuits against the university authorities.

If you have suffered from crime in an area that is meant to be secured such as a shopping mall, a university campus or a box store, you may have grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit against the owners or the managers of an establishment for injuries suffered. Call the Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 or see Cooperhurley.com.