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 sustaining injuries, one of whom is in critical condition. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Va., is not affiliated with the university, and neither were four of the injured parties, according to Chesterfield County Police. The age range of those injured varied from 17 to 23, with one of the victims, a 20-year-old student, having been discharged from the hospital. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
Law enforcement has not disclosed a potential motive for the incident. Harris faces eight felony warrants, including charges of malicious wounding and using a firearm during the commission of a felony. It is unclear if he has legal representation at this time.
Earlier reports from the university indicated a search for multiple suspects, but as of Saturday evening, no further details were provided by the police. Campus officials had earlier stated that there was no immediate danger to the campus community, and the lockdown had been lifted.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, triggering a campus lockdown as students were preparing for the upcoming academic year. The incident unfolded near the university’s Quad Annexes, where law enforcement officers found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside the dormitories.
Residence halls at the university welcomed students a week before the incident, and classes are scheduled to resume on Monday. The university expressed its understanding of the anxiety caused by the event and emphasized the safety and welfare of the students as their foremost concern.
A substantial law enforcement presence was observed on campus on Saturday morning, with authorities urging students to monitor their emails for additional safety instructions and information on support services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, were providing assistance, according to county police.
Located in Ettrick, Va., approximately 40 kilometers south of Richmond, Virginia State University is a historically Black institution with around 5,700 students. Originally established as the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans, the university predominantly enrolls undergraduate students.
Arthur Fridrich, the university’s former director of distance education, shared his sentiments on the incident, describing it as a tragic start to the academic year that will impact the community. He expressed hope for the speedy recovery of the victims and emphasized the significance of not allowing the event to define their lives.