UPDATE: Shots fired last night after intoxicated NOVA students flee Mason campus

Mason police investigate around Rappahannock Parking Deck after an incident occurred last night (photo by Jenny Krashin).

Fourth Estate will update this story as details are released.

Update: 12:11 p.m. August 30

University officials have released the following press statement about last night's incident: 

We are writing to update you on an incident that occurred early Friday morning involving the George Mason University Police Department and two non-Mason individuals.

At approximately 1:03 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, George Mason University Police responded to a call about individuals who were allegedly under the influence and headed to the Rappahannock visitor parking area. When police officers attempted to prevent the suspects from fleeing the area, the suspects struck an officer with their car. As a result, a Mason police officer discharged a weapon at the vehicle. Arrests have been made and the suspects are in custody. The incident was immediately contained and there were no further injuries.

There are no ongoing threats to the community and officials are confident that the campus community is safe. No other Mason students, faculty or staff were involved. The incident, including the use of force, will be thoroughly reviewed.

Rose Pascarell                                                             Eric Heath
Vice President, University Life                                   Chief of Police

Update: 10:25 a.m. August 30

According to Mason Lieutenant Officer Anthony Lamanna, two intoxicated Northern Virginia Community College students were arrested in front of the Red Hot & Blue in the City of Fairfax after a car chase originating on the Fairfax campus. 

Two Mason police officers responded to a call that reported two "highly intoxicated" individuals near Lecture Hall. After the officers arrived, the suspects fled on foot to the guest parking area of Rappahannock Parking Deck. The police officers pursued the suspects who then entered a Toyota SUV and fled. As the suspects left Rappahannock, one Mason officer was struck in the leg by the vehicle. The other officer responded by shooting two rounds at the SUV. The injured officer was hospitalized but is now in stable condition. The SUV fled campus into the City of Fairfax. According to reports, the passenger in the fleeing vehicle attempted to jump out of the moving SUV several times during the chase. The vehicle pulled over at the intersection of Judicial Dr. and Chain Bridge Rd., right outside of the Red Hot & Blue and the suspects were apprehended. 

According to Lamanna, Mason Police Chief Eric Heath made the decision not to notify the Mason community through emergency channels as there was not "an immediate threat to the community."

Students first reported hearing shots last night through Twitter.

The university is undergoing an investigation of the incident.

Original story

According to Mason officials, in the early hours of August 30, shots were fired on the Fairfax campus. Officials say that there is no active threat to the community and that no Mason students were involved. No injuries were believed to have occurred. The event was confirmed to have taken place at 1:10 a.m. 

The university is conducting an investigation of the incident.