Police apprehended a 19-year-old individual concealed in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University on Saturday regarding a shooting incident on campus that resulted in five individuals being injured, one of them critically. 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 injured individuals, aged between 17 and 23, included 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 faces eight felony warrants, including charges of malicious wounding and using a firearm during a felony. It is unclear at this time whether he has legal representation.
While the university initially indicated the search for multiple suspects, law enforcement did not provide further details on the investigation later that day. Earlier statements by university officials assured that there was no immediate danger to the campus community, leading to the lifting of the campus lockdown.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, triggering a campus lockdown as students prepared for the upcoming academic year. The incident happened near the Quad Annexes of the university, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers found five gunshot victims outside the dormitories.
Virginia State University’s residence halls opened for student occupancy a week ago, with classes resuming on Monday. Many students had recently completed the university’s orientation program for new students.
The university expressed its understanding of the distress caused by the incident among various stakeholders and reiterated its commitment to prioritizing student safety and well-being. Law enforcement maintained a significant presence on campus, and students were advised to check their emails for updates on safety protocols and available support services. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office were providing assistance as well.
Situated in Ettrick, Va., approximately 40 kilometers south of Richmond, Virginia State University is a historically Black institution with around 5,700 students. Established as the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans, the university primarily enrolls undergraduate students.
Arthur Fridrich, the university’s former director of distance education, residing near the campus, expressed sorrow over the shooting incident occurring as students returned for classes. Fridrich emphasized the emotional impact on the community and expressed hope for the recovery and resilience of the victims, urging them not to let the event define their lives.