Police apprehended a 19-year-old individual who was discovered hiding in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University on Saturday following an overnight shooting on campus that resulted in five people sustaining injuries, one of whom is in critical condition. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Virginia, is not enrolled as a student at the university, and neither were four of the victims, aged between 17 and 23. Among those injured, a 20-year-old who is a student has been discharged from the hospital, while the identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
Law enforcement has not disclosed a motive for the incident. Authorities issued eight felony warrants for Harris, including charges of malicious wounding and firearm use in the commission of a felony. It remains unclear whether Harris has legal representation.
Initial reports from the university indicated a search for multiple suspects, although no further details were provided by the police later on Saturday. Earlier statements from university officials assured that there was no immediate threat to the campus community, leading to the lifting of the lockdown.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday near the Quad Annexes of the university, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside the dormitories. According to the university’s website, student residence halls opened a week prior, with classes scheduled to resume on Monday, coinciding with the completion of the university’s orientation program for new students.
Acknowledging the distress caused by the incident, the university emphasized the safety and well-being of its students as a top priority. In response, a significant law enforcement presence was observed on campus, along with advisories for students to monitor their email for safety updates and support services information. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, were assisting in the investigation.
Virginia State University, a historically Black institution situated in Ettrick, Virginia, approximately 40 kilometers south of Richmond, has an enrollment of around 5,700 students and holds the distinction of being the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans. The majority of its student body comprises undergraduates.
Over the years, the university has experienced growth while striving to enhance safety measures and preserve its historical significance, noted Arthur Fridrich, the former director of distance education at the university. Fridrich, a frequent visitor to the campus, lamented the tragic timing of the shooting coinciding with the commencement of the new academic year, expressing sympathy for the impacted individuals and the broader community affected by the incident.