Police took into custody a 19-year-old individual discovered hiding in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University following an overnight shooting on campus that resulted in five individuals being wounded, with one sustaining critical injuries. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Virginia, is not enrolled as a student at the university, and neither were four of the victims, as stated by Chesterfield County Police. The age range of those injured was between 17 and 23, with one 20-year-old student who has since been discharged from the hospital. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
No details regarding a potential motive have been disclosed by authorities. Harris faces eight felony warrants, including charges for malicious wounding and the use of a firearm during a felony. It remains unclear if he has legal representation to speak on his behalf.
Initially, the university indicated that multiple suspects were being pursued, but no further information was provided by law enforcement on the search. Earlier in the day, university officials had reassured that there was no immediate danger to the campus community, leading to the lifting of the campus lockdown instituted after the shooting, which occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The incident transpired in the vicinity of the university’s Quad Annexes, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside the dormitories. The university’s website revealed that residential halls opened for students a week prior, with classes scheduled to resume on Monday, coinciding with the conclusion of the “New Trojans Experience” for incoming students.
A statement from the university underscored the priority placed on the safety and well-being of their students, acknowledging the distress caused by the event among various stakeholders. Throughout Saturday morning, the campus witnessed a significant law enforcement presence, with students advised to monitor their email for updates on safety measures and support services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office were aiding in the investigation, as per county police.
Situated in Ettrick, Virginia, approximately 40 kilometers south of the state capital, Richmond, Virginia State University is a historically Black institution with an enrollment of around 5,700 students. The university, the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans, predominantly serves undergraduate students. Arthur Fridrich, the university’s former director of distance education, emphasized the heartbreaking impact of such an incident as students returned for the academic year, noting its lasting effect on the community and the need for healing and resilience among those affected.