A photo of a police officers holding guns standing.
The Jan. 8 exercise will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the 900 block of West Franklin Street. (File photo by Kevin Morley, Enterprise Marketing and Communications).

Jan. 2, 2025

VCU, Richmond police departments to conduct active shooter training exercise at VCU on Jan. 8

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By Jake Burns
VCU Police

The VCU Police Department and Richmond Police Department will hold a joint active shooter training exercise on Wednesday, Jan. 8, that will impact a portion of VCU’s Monroe Park Campus.

The exercise will involve the sound of simulated gunfire and actors in realistic makeup that mimic significant injuries. Community members can expect to see law enforcement and emergency personnel from multiple jurisdictions, including Richmond Police Department SWAT personnel, as well as law enforcement drones.

The exercise runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will take place in the 900 block of West Franklin Street at VCU’s Office of the President.

The drill provides law enforcement professionals from partner agencies a chance to collaborate during a real-time, simulated environment. VCU Police, VCU Safety Ambassadors, Richmond Police Department SWAT Team members and leadership from both police departments will play active roles in the exercise.

“Training opportunities like this one take a tremendous amount of planning, resources and coordination to simulate real-world chaos. This training time for first responders is precious. It allows us to learn and grow and better prepare us for the unexpected,” said John Venuti, associate vice president for public safety at VCU and VCU Health and chief of police.

Venuti and Richmond police officials will brief media members at 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 8.

The 900 block of West Franklin Street will be closed starting at 6 a.m. Any vehicle still parked on the street after this time will be towed. Restrictions will remain in place until 5 p.m.

Sidewalks in that area will remain open to foot traffic, with the exception of the sidewalk directly in front of the Office of the President.

An illustration of the map where the exercise will take place. W. Franklin Street between N. Harrison St. and Shafer St. is market red indicating the street is closed. A small portion of the sidewalk on that street in front of Stagg House and Office of the President is marked red to show it is closed off as well. The tagg House and Office of the President are marked orange to indicate that they are a training area.

Police will use multiple communications, including mass emails and social media messages, in advance of the Jan. 8 exercise to increase awareness among the university community, neighborhood organizations and area businesses. On the day of the exercise, police will issue text messages to VCU Alert subscribers.

Media are encouraged to cover the event. Crews should arrive no later than 11 a.m.

Media parking will be available in front of The Scott House, 909 W. Franklin St. Photography/videography crews will be permitted to capture visuals from the sidewalks near the drill.