Lynchburg Community Reacts to Recent Shootings

Local leaders weigh in on public safety concerns after weekend violence

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Lynchburg community is responding to a series of weekend shootings, including two people shot in an accidental incident on Saturday and another man shot in a separate event on Sunday night. So far this year, the city has reported one homicide and six shootings. Community activist De'Vaunte Wood and City Council member Marty Misjuns shared their perspectives on the situation, with Wood noting some positive changes in community engagement and policing, while Misjuns expressed confidence in the police department's leadership.

Why it matters

Lynchburg has faced ongoing public safety challenges, with incidents of gun violence impacting the community. The reactions from local leaders provide insight into how the city is addressing these issues and the progress that has been made, as well as the work that still needs to be done to improve safety and prevent future violence.

The details

The recent shootings in Lynchburg included an accidental incident on Saturday that left two people injured, and a separate shooting on Sunday night that wounded another man. So far in 2026, the city has reported one homicide and six total shootings. Community activist De'Vaunte Wood noted that he has seen positive changes, with more community organizations coming together and the local police force being more proactive in building relationships. City Council member Marty Misjuns also expressed confidence in the police department's leadership, stating that the city is seeing some improvement compared to last year, though more work is still needed.

  • On Saturday, an accidental shooting left two people injured.
  • On Sunday night, another man was shot in a separate incident.
  • So far in 2026, Lynchburg has reported one homicide and six total shootings.

The players

De'Vaunte Wood

A community activist who works directly in neighborhoods often impacted by crime.

Marty Misjuns

A Lynchburg City Council member.

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What they’re saying

“I've seen a lot of different community organizations come together. I've seen even local police force, they've been more proactive in trying to build relationships with community friendly. I've seen a lot of people in communities that have been labeled dangerous in the past, I've seen them coming together. I've seen them grow and I've seen them build more of a community.”

— De'Vaunte Wood, Community Activist (wdbj7.com)

“It looks like we are doing a little better than last year but we can always do better I'm confident in our police department and police chief to get out there and investigate crimes.”

— Marty Misjuns, City Council Member (wdbj7.com)

The takeaway

While Lynchburg has faced ongoing public safety challenges, the reactions from local leaders suggest that there are some positive signs, with increased community engagement and confidence in the police department's efforts. However, more work is still needed to address the root causes of violence and prevent future incidents from occurring.