Police apprehended a 19-year-old individual discovered hiding in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University on Saturday in connection with an incident of gunfire on campus that resulted in five individuals sustaining injuries, with one in critical condition. Camron Harris, a resident of Henrico, Va., is not affiliated with the university, and neither were four of the victims, according to Chesterfield County Police. The injured individuals, aged between 17 and 23, include one student who has been discharged from the hospital. The names 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 the commission of a felony. It remains unclear if Harris has legal representation.
Earlier reports from the university suggested that multiple suspects were being sought, but no further details were provided by the police on Saturday. Campus officials had previously stated that law enforcement did not believe there was an immediate danger to the university community, and the campus lockdown was lifted.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, prompting a campus lockdown as students were preparing for the upcoming academic term.
The university’s Quad Annexes, where campus and county officers found the injured parties, were the location of the incident. Dormitories had opened for students one week earlier, with classes scheduled to resume on Monday. Many students had recently completed the university’s orientation program for new students.
The university expressed understanding of the anxiety caused by the incident among students, parents, alumni, and the wider VSU community, emphasizing the priority placed on student safety and well-being.
Law enforcement presence was notably heightened on campus on Saturday morning, with students advised to monitor their email for further safety instructions and details on available support services. Assistance was being provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, as per county police.
Virginia State University, situated in Ettrick, Va., approximately 40 kilometers south of Richmond, is a historically Black institution with around 5,700 students. Established 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, highlighted the institution’s recent growth efforts focused on enhancing safety while preserving its historical significance. He expressed sorrow over the shooting occurring at the start of the academic year, underscoring the significant impact on the student community and urging the affected individuals to heal and not let the incident define their future.