Harrisonburg Police Department

09/08/2026

On August 23, 2026, a suspect brandished a gun at a party in the 1300 block of S Main St.

The suspect is a shorter white male, skinny build, with brown "mop" style haircut. he was wearing a black t-shirt, dark pants and dark shoes. He also had goatee style facial hair.

He originally arrived on location with 3 other males at approx 11:44. They spoke with the party organizers for several minutes before getting kicked out. However, the suspect returned alone wearing a black hooded "Hollister" jacket and was confronted again by the party organizers about 25 minutes later.

After some arguing, he pulled back his jacket to reveal what witnesses described as a black AR style rifle in the suspects waistline, barrel pointed down to the ground inside his pants. He then left the area on foot south, in the direction of South Ave.

This is still an active, open investigation, and anyone with information on this brandishing should call 540-434-4436 and ask to speak with Det. Burrows or visit www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411. Both methods are anonymous, and information leading to the arrest of a suspect may be eligible for a reward through Crime Solvers.

09/07/2026

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

Reminders:

City of Harrisonburg offices are closed today, Monday, September 7, 2026 in observance of Labor Day.

Trash for Monday, September 7, will be collected tomorrow, Tuesday, September 8.

There will be no bulk and yard debris collection for Monday, September 7, and Tuesday, September 8.

The Recycling Convenience Center and Mobile Unit are closed today, Monday, September 7.

City offices will reopen Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 8:00am.

09/07/2026

Lucille has been found safe.

Update: September 7- We have reason to believe Ms. Eckert may be in the McLean area of Fairfax County. Anyone in the Northern Virginia area with information on where Lucille may be should call the Harrisonburg Police Department at 540-434-4436 or submit a tip anonymously at www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411

The Harrisonburg Police Department is currently seeking information on the whereabouts of Lucille Eckert. She has been entered into NCIC/VCIN as a missing person and was last seen on September 6.

Lucille is a double amputee, and uses a wheelchair to get around.

Anyone with information on where Lucille may be should call the Harrisonburg Police Department at 540-434-4436 or submit a tip anonymously at www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411

09/05/2026

On August 29, 2026, one person was shot in the 1200 block of Devon Lane in Harrisonburg. The victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. This is still an active investigation, and the Harrisonburg Police Department is seeking information from the community.

Anyone with information on this shooting is encouraged to call 540-434-4436 and ask to speak with Det. Wetherell. Information leading to the arrest of a suspect in this case is eligible for a cash reward from Crime Solvers.

The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) is investigating a shooting that took place in the 1200 block of Devon Lane Saturday night.

On August 29, 2026, at 10:38 pm, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center (HRECC) received a call from the victim advising he had just been shot in the leg in the 1200 block of Devon Lane in Harrisonburg. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a nineteen-year-old male in the parking lot with one gunshot wound to the upper leg.

HPD officers immediately began providing medical attention to the victim and set a perimeter around the crime scene. The victim was taken to Sentara RMH by ambulance and then flown to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

HPD’s Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene and immediately began collecting evidence and speaking to witnesses. This was an isolated incident, and at no point was there a direct threat to the public. James Madison University Police Department issued a shelter-in-place notification for those in the area at 11:12 pm due to the concentration of students in the housing complex. The victim is not a resident of the complex nor a student at James Madison University.

While HPD officers and detectives were investigating the shooting on Devon Lane, a separate call for service was dispatched through HRECC, stating that a brandishing had just occurred in the 1200 block of S Main St. At this time, we do not believe the two incidents are related.

Harrisonburg residents should expect to see an increase in patrol officers in and around student housing this coming weekend in response to these incidents.

This is still an active, open investigation, and anyone with information on this shooting should call 540-434-4436 and ask to speak with Det. Colton Wetherell or visit www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411. Both methods are anonymous, and information leading to the arrest of a suspect may be eligible for a reward through Crime Solvers.

09/04/2026

To JMU students, parents, and community members:

We recognize that the recent shootings and brandishing incident in our community have raised understandable safety concerns. We want to assure you that these incidents are being actively investigated. At this time, we do not believe the incidents are connected.

We are asking anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to share it with us by visiting www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411. Community cooperation is essential to helping investigators identify those responsible and prevent further incidents.

As we head into the weekend, we encourage students to take practical steps to stay safe, especially when attending parties or social gatherings:

• Stay with a group and make a plan to leave together.
• Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If something feels unsafe, leave the area.
• Be cautious around people you do not know, particularly if they are acting aggressively, intoxicated, or suspiciously.
• Avoid confrontations. Do not try to handle disputes or problems at a party on your own. Call the police if a situation is escalating.
• Never get into a vehicle with an impaired driver. Use a sober designated driver, rideshare, or other safe transportation option.
• If you see a weapon, hear threats, or observe suspicious activity, leave the area if it is safe to do so and call 911 immediately.

The Harrisonburg Police Department and JMU Police Department are doing everything we can to keep students and the broader community safe. In response to these recent incidents, additional patrols will be working throughout the weekend, focusing on student housing areas.

Please look out for one another, report concerns, and make safety a shared priority.

09/03/2026

We have received reports of a phone scam where callers are impersonating law enforcement officers claiming to be from the Harrisonburg Police Department. Scammers are contacting residents, claiming they’ve missed jury duty, and are being told they must report to the department. We want to be very clear:

The Harrisonburg Police Department does not handle legal matters like jury duty over the phone or accept money to resolve them.

The Harrisonburg Police Department will never call you to demand payment.

We will not ask for gift cards, mobile app payments, or bank information over the phone.

These scammers rely on fear tactics and urgency to trick people into paying. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and do not attempt to make any payments.

09/01/2026

Update 12:25 AM September 2- Two Charged After Shooting at Harris Gardens Apartment Complex

At 4:52 pm on September 1, 2026, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communication Center (HRECC) received a call stating there were multiple gunshots heard in the 200 block of Vine Street. Just after that, an additional caller stated he had just shot someone who broke into his apartment.

The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD), Harrisonburg Fire Department (HFD), and Harrisonburg Rescue Squad responded and found a 19-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds. He was
transported to Sentara RMH by ambulance and flown to UVA Medical Center. He has serious injuries but is in stable condition.

HPD Criminal Investigations Detectives, HPD K9 Unit, and the HFD Drone Team responded to assist with the investigation. Based on information gathered at the scene, a subsequent search warrant was executed at Howard Johnson on E Market Street in Harrisonburg.

Joshua Dean, 18, is being charged with possession with intent to distribute a schedule I or II narcotic, a felony. A juvenile is charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit murder, a felony, and as a principal in the second degree, a felony.

This is still an active, open investigation and more charges may be filed in this case. Anyone with information on this shooting should call 540-434-4436 and ask to speak with Detective Urrutty or visit
www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411. Both methods are anonymous, and information leading to the arrest of a suspect may be eligible for a reward through Crime Solvers.

11:30 PM September 1- The scene has been released.

6:40 PM September 1- The victim has serious injuries, but is in stable condition. We have no further information at this time. There is no immediate threat to the public, and we believe this to be an isolated incident. There is currently no traffic interruption on Vine St, and residents of Harris Gardens are able to make their way in and out of the complex.

5:45 PM September 1- One victim has been taken to Sentara RMH by ambulance and is being flown to UVA Medical Center for treatment. Two people have been detained for questioning.

5:00 PM September 1- the Harrisonburg Police Department is currently responding to reports of shots fired in the 200 block of Vine Street at the Harris Gardens apartment complex. Updates will be posted here when they are available. Please avoid the area of Vine Street to allow first responders to complete their investigation. 

08/31/2026

The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) is investigating a shooting that took place in the 1200 block of Devon Lane Saturday night.

On August 29, 2026, at 10:38 pm, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center (HRECC) received a call from the victim advising he had just been shot in the leg in the 1200 block of Devon Lane in Harrisonburg. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located a nineteen-year-old male in the parking lot with one gunshot wound to the upper leg.

HPD officers immediately began providing medical attention to the victim and set a perimeter around the crime scene. The victim was taken to Sentara RMH by ambulance and then flown to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

HPD’s Major Crimes Detectives responded to the scene and immediately began collecting evidence and speaking to witnesses. This was an isolated incident, and at no point was there a direct threat to the public. James Madison University Police Department issued a shelter-in-place notification for those in the area at 11:12 pm due to the concentration of students in the housing complex. The victim is not a resident of the complex nor a student at James Madison University.

While HPD officers and detectives were investigating the shooting on Devon Lane, a separate call for service was dispatched through HRECC, stating that a brandishing had just occurred in the 1200 block of S Main St. At this time, we do not believe the two incidents are related.

Harrisonburg residents should expect to see an increase in patrol officers in and around student housing this coming weekend in response to these incidents.

This is still an active, open investigation, and anyone with information on this shooting should call 540-434-4436 and ask to speak with Det. Colton Wetherell or visit www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411. Both methods are anonymous, and information leading to the arrest of a suspect may be eligible for a reward through Crime Solvers.

08/30/2026

1:50 AM August 30- The scene has been cleared, and all traffic can resume as normal on Devon Ln. There is still no active threat to the community, and we do not have a description of the suspect at this time.

The single victim was taken to Sentara RMH by ambulance and flown to UVA, where he is now in stable condition.

12:25 AM August 30- Officers remain on scene in the 1200 block of Devon Ln., and will be on scene for an extended time as they investigate this incident. Anyone with information on this shooting should call 540-434-4436 or visit www.harrisonburgva.gov/tip-411 to submit a tip anonymously.

11:05 PM August 29- The Harrisonburg Police Department is currently responding to a gunshot wound in the 1200 block of Devon Ln. There is one victim in serious condition. At this time, there is no active threat to the community.

Please avoid the area of Devon Ln. while officers continue to investigate this incident. More information will be posted here when available.

08/28/2026

Good Morning, Harrisonburg!

It’s Friday. We made it. We hope everyone has a great day, and a safe weekend. We’ll be here if you need us!