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, one critically. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Virginia, is not enrolled at the university, and neither were four of the injured individuals, as confirmed by Chesterfield County Police. The age range of the victims was between 17 and 23, with one 20-year-old student already discharged from the hospital. The names of the victims have not been disclosed.
No details have been provided regarding a potential motive for the incident. Harris is facing eight felony warrants, including charges for malicious wounding and using a firearm during the commission of a felony. It is unclear at this time whether he has legal representation.
Initial reports from the university mentioned a search for multiple suspects, but as of Saturday evening, law enforcement had not divulged further information about the investigation. Earlier statements from university officials indicated that there was no 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, triggering a campus lockdown as students were preparing for the upcoming school year.
The incident took place in the vicinity of the university’s Quad Annexes, where campus police and Chesterfield County officers discovered five individuals with gunshot wounds outside the dormitories. With residence halls opening a week ago and classes set to resume on Monday, several students had recently completed the university’s orientation program for new students.
Virginia State University, a historically Black institution located in Ettrick, Virginia, approximately 40 kilometers south of the state capital, Richmond, has around 5,700 students. The university, primarily serving undergraduates, has endeavored to enhance safety measures while preserving its historic allure. The presence of law enforcement was conspicuous on Saturday morning, and students were advised to monitor their emails for updates on safety protocols and support services.
Assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office was enlisted by county police. Arthur Fridrich, the former director of distance education at the university, expressed sorrow over the tragic incident unfolding as classes resumed, acknowledging the lasting impact it might have on the affected students and the broader community.