University of Virginia Shelter in Place Order Issued Due to Suspect Search

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The University of Virginia was placed under a shelter-in-place order on Tuesday morning as police searched for a suspect with known gang ties who fled a traffic stop. The suspect, identified as Nyheem Hill, was last seen in the area of Alderman Road and has a known criminal history and gang affiliation. Hill is described as a black man, 6-foot-1, weighing 170 pounds, and wearing a gray, hooded sweatshirt. The shelter-in-place order was issued after a Virginia State Police trooper attempted to pull over a Chevrolet Impala with an expired inspection sticker, and the driver, believed to be Hill, fled from the vehicle while it was still in drive, striking a State Police vehicle and at least one other vehicle.

The search for Hill began at 8:13 a.m. and expanded to the entire Lewis Mountain neighborhood by 11 a.m. and to all of Central Grounds by 12:26 p.m. The University of Virginia sent out a series of alerts, urging people to shelter in place and avoid the area due to "fire/police activity." All academic classes at UVa were canceled "until further notice," and a meeting of the UVa Board of Visitors was moved from the university Rotunda to the Boar's Head Resort just outside Charlottesville city limits. The suspect has been confirmed to be the "Nyeem Hill" who was sentenced to 14 months behind bars last July in a Charlottesville court for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Hill had previously been convicted after he was involved in a shootout and received a stolen vehicle, all before he turned 18. He was released from jail four days after prosecutors dropped a malicious wounding charge against him stemming from a July 10 attack on another inmate at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. The prosecution cited an uncooperative victim in its reasoning. The shelter-in-place order was eventually lifted, and classes are expected to resume on Wednesday. The incident highlights the importance of public safety and the need for swift action in response to potential threats.

Here is a timeline of events: * 8:13 a.m.: A Virginia State Police trooper attempts to pull over a Chevrolet Impala with an expired inspection sticker. * 9:04 a.m.: UVa sends out its first alert, urging people near Alderman Road to avoid the area due to "fire/police activity." * 9:18 a.m.: UVa sends out a second alert, stating that police are looking for a suspect in the area and advising people to shelter in place. * 10:02 a.m.: The shelter-in-place order is expanded to include UVa Medical Center. * 10:06 a.m.: UVa reports that there have been no shots fired and no injuries. * 10:22 a.m.: All academic classes at UVa are canceled "until further notice." * 11 a.m.: The search for Hill expands to the entire Lewis Mountain neighborhood. * 12:26 p.m.: The search expands to all of Central Grounds. * The shelter-in-place order is eventually lifted, and classes are expected to resume on Wednesday.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the University of Virginia community and the need for effective communication and response in emergency situations. The university's decision to cancel classes and issue a shelter-in-place order was likely made to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, and staff. The search for Hill is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community in maintaining public safety.