Roanoke High School Student Killed In Hookah Lounge Shooting

Updated, 4:30 p.m. Saturday

BLACKSBURG, VA — A Roanoke City high school student was killed in a shooting that also injured four people at a hookah lounge in Blacksburg, according to police and reports.

The shooting happened just before midnight Friday, the Blacksburg Police Department said. It has not identified any of the victims.

Roanoke City Public Schools said a student from Patrick Henry High School had died.

"We are saddened by the death of a member of our Patrick Henry High School family," district officials said in a Facebook post. "Our thoughts are with all those who are grieving. We understand many in our community may have feelings of grief, loss, anger, or fear and encourage you to reach out for support," district officials said in a Facebook post.

One of the injured is a Virginia Tech student, according to the school’s president Tim Sands.

"Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we extend our support to those who were injured," Sands wrote. "Events like this are difficult and unsettling to all of us."

The severity of the injuries of those who were taken to the hospital was unknown early Saturday morning, police said.

The shooting at the Melody Hookah Lounge prompted a secure-in-place alert, police said, which was lifted around 3 a.m. Saturday.

Roanoke City Public Schools officials said counselors will be available on Monday at both Patrick Henry and William Fleming High Schools from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for any students and staff who need support.

"We will also have counseling available through Teams. Additionally, there are resources on the Quick Links of the Roanoke City Public Schools’ website under Resources for Parents and Guardians," the district said. "These resources will assist families should they need to have conversations about grief with their child. Immediate support is also available by calling Carilion CONNECT at (540) 981-8181."

The Virginia Tech student was recovering after surgery and "seems to be doing well," said Frank Shushok Jr., the vice president for student affairs. "We continue to respect the privacy of the student, and we are grateful for the outpouring of care and support directed to him."

University officials were offering counseling services to any in the community who need assistance, Shushok said.

Melody Hookah Lounge released a statement Saturday saying, "We are deeply hurt and devastated of what happened Friday night, our condolences go to the families and friends of everyone who were affected. Moving foward we will add more precautions and regulations in place for this types of situations."

It had been closed for a private event from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, and reopened to the public at 11 p.m., according to its website.

Virginia lawmakers expressed their sympathies with the victims of the shooting.

"Incredibly saddened to see another act of gun violence in the Commonwealth this week," Sen. Mark Warner tweeted Saturday morning. "My heart is with the people of Blacksburg and the entire Virginia Tech community.

Earlier this week, two officers at Bridgewater College, about 130 miles north of Blacksburg on Interstate 81, were shot and killed by a former student of the college.

"My heart goes out to the victims and the community of Blacksburg, which is already scarred by the scourge of gun violence," Sen. Tim Kaine said.

The shooting comes nearly 15 years after the April 2007 massacre on the campus of Virginia Tech, when a student killed 32 people. The lounge is about a half-mile away from Norris Hall, the university's engineering science and mechanics building where most of the 2007 victims were shot and killed.

Blacksburg and Virginia State Police encouraged anyone with information about Friday night's shooting to call 540-443-1400.