Police apprehended a 19-year-old individual who was discovered hiding in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University following an overnight shooting on campus that resulted in five individuals being injured, one critically. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Va., is not affiliated with the university, and four of the victims, aged between 17 and 23, were also not students. Among the injured, a 20-year-old student has been discharged from the hospital, while the identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
Law enforcement has not disclosed a potential motive for the shooting. Harris faces eight felony warrants, including charges for malicious wounding and the use of a firearm during a felony. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation at this time.
Although university officials previously indicated the search for multiple suspects, no further details were provided by the police on Saturday. The campus lockdown, initiated after the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, has been lifted, with law enforcement not deeming an ongoing threat to the campus community.
The shooting took place near the university’s Quad Annexes, where authorities found the injured individuals outside the dormitories. The university’s dormitories opened a week ago, with classes scheduled to resume on Monday. The university assures stakeholders that student safety remains a top priority amid this unfortunate incident.
With a significant law enforcement presence on campus, students have been advised to monitor their email for updates on safety protocols and support services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, are aiding in the investigation.
Virginia State University, a historically Black institution situated in Ettrick, Va., approximately 40 kilometers south of Richmond, boasts a student body of around 5,700. It was the first state-supported four-year college for Black Americans and primarily enrolls undergraduate students. Despite recent growth and safety enhancements, the university community is deeply saddened by the shooting as students commence a new academic year.
Arthur Fridrich, the university’s former director of distance education, expressed sorrow over the tragic event, noting the impact on students returning for classes. He emphasized the need for affected individuals to heal and not let this incident define their future endeavors.