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 individuals being injured, with one sustaining critical wounds. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Va., is not affiliated with the university, and neither were four of the victims, as confirmed by Chesterfield County Police. The age range of those injured varied from 17 to 23, with one of them being a 20-year-old student who has since been discharged from the hospital. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
Authorities have not disclosed a potential motive for the incident. Harris is facing eight felony warrants, including charges of malicious wounding and the use of a firearm during a felony. It remains unclear if he has legal representation at this time.
Initially, the university mentioned that they were searching for multiple suspects; however, there was no further information provided by the police regarding this matter by Saturday evening. Earlier in the day, campus officials had stated that law enforcement did not perceive an immediate threat to the campus community, leading to the lifting of the campus lockdown.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, prompting a campus lockdown as students were preparing for the upcoming school year.
The incident took place near the university’s Quad Annexes, where campus security and Chesterfield County officers found five individuals with gunshot injuries outside the dormitories. According to the university’s website, student residence halls opened a week prior, with classes set to resume on Monday. Many students had just completed the university’s orientation program for incoming students.
Acknowledging the distress caused by the incident, the university emphasized that the safety and well-being of their students are of utmost importance. The campus saw a heightened law enforcement presence on Saturday morning, and students were advised to monitor their emails for additional safety instructions and information regarding support services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, were providing assistance, as stated by county police.
Situated in Ettrick, Va., approximately 40 kilometers south of Richmond, Virginia State University is a historically Black institution with around 5,700 students. Recognized as the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans, the majority of its student body consists of undergraduates.
Arthur Fridrich, the university’s former director of distance education, who resides near the campus, expressed sorrow over the incident, particularly as it unfolded during the return of students for the new academic year. He remarked on the impact this event will have on the community, stating, “To start a new year with this event is very tragic. It casts a shadow in the minds of all students, and for some it will be difficult to rid their minds of this term. For those that were shot, my heart bleeds. I hope that they all mend and somehow do not let this event define their lives.”