VCU Police make three arrests in last month's group attack

VCU Police have arrested two adults and a juvenile in two early-morning assaults on campus on Aug. 22.

The adults were identified as 20-yearold Zachary D. Wallace and 21-year-old Adam I. Wallace, both of the 4900 block of Cavan Green Court in Henrico County. They were charged with assault or battery by mob and are being held in the Richmond jail.

A 17-year-old juvenile from Henrico also has been charged with robbery.

VCU Police Chief John Venuti said in a statement Tuesday that none of the three is affiliated with VCU and that each of the suspects played a principal role in the assaults.

Many students said that the arrests made them feel safer and more confident in VCU security.

“It makes me feel more safe, because I really didn’t expect them to catch anyone,” said senior Jennifer Tennison.

“Two weeks is a little while [to arrest the suspects], but they still got them,” said senior Daniel Kolmer. “That’s pretty impressive.”

Students said that they generally feel safe on campus, but they know that there’s always a chance of something unexpected happening.

“It’s Richmond ... so you have to be prepared,” said said freshman Molika Lang.

As many as 15 people ranging in ages from 17 to 22 were part of a large group of young men involved in the incident, although Venuti said that the others were not active participants in the attacks.

Two people were assaulted Aug. 22 along Shafer Street on the Monroe Park campus about 2:55 a.m.

The first victim, who is not a VCU student, reported being punched without provocation by a member of the group while getting out of a vehicle at Shafer and West Grace streets.

Moments later, the group encountered the second victim, a VCU student, at Shafer and West Franklin streets. The student told police one member of the group made a comment about his boots before he was punched in the back of the head and knocked to the ground.

Once on the ground, the student said, one of the assailants told him, "Give me everything you've got." The student was punched again, this time in the neck, and a pack of cigarettes was stolen from his pants pocket, police said.

Venuti said the use of security photos and an anonymous tip program helped the investigation.

“We received tremendous support and information from the VCU community and from citizens of the surrounding area, which allowed us to further our investigation,” Venuti said in a release. CT

From staff reports, additional reporting by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

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