CPD investigates dormitory hate crimes and gun violations

November 1, 2024, press release

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Charlottesville detectives, along with University of Virginia Police, are investigating a firearm incident that occurred on October 30, 2024 at a University of Virginia fraternity house located at 513 Rugby Road.

Charlottesville detectives, along with University of Virginia police, are investigating a firearm incident that occurred on October 30, 2024 at a University of Virginia fraternity house located at 513 Rugby Road. The victim reported that another man who also lived in the apartment pointed a gun at him. The victim also described several past incidents with the suspect, including alleged threatening messages and assaults. Both the victim and suspect in this case are students at the University of Virginia.

On October 31, 2024, University of Virginia Police assisted the victim in filing multiple charges against the suspect. Robert Cabell Romer, a 20-year-old Charlottesville resident, was charged with:

• 18.2-57: Assault and violence based on such person's race, religious belief, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or ethnic or national origin, resulting in such bodily harm.
• 18.2-121: Enter the property of another with the intent to damage it or its contents or to interfere with the rights of the owner, user or occupier to enjoy such property free from interference.
• 18.2-60: Knowingly communicate in a writing a threat to kill or cause bodily harm to another person that would place that person in reasonable danger of death or bodily harm.
• 18.2-282: Pointing, holding, or waving a firearm in a manner that would reasonably cause fear in another, or holding a firearm in such a manner as to reasonably cause another to fear being shot or injured .