Virginia State University Shooting: 19-Year-Old Arrested After Five People Wounded

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after five people were wounded in a shooting at Virginia State University in Virginia early Saturday, with one victim remaining in critical condition.

Police identified the suspect as Camron Harris of Henrico, Virginia. He was found hiding inside a closet at Seward Hall, a university residence hall, around 4 pm Saturday, more than 12 hours after the shooting. Harris is not a student at the university and was taken to the Chesterfield County Jail, where he is being held without bond. Police obtained eight felony warrants against him, including four counts of malicious wounding and four counts related to the use of a firearm during a felony.

The shooting happened shortly after 1:30 am near the university’s Quad Annexes, where police found five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside the residence halls. The incident initially led to a campus lockdown, which was later lifted after authorities determined there was no immediate threat to the university community.

The victims, aged between 17 and 23, include a 20-year-old Virginia State University student who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released from hospital. A 21-year-old man, who was initially reported to have life-threatening injuries, was later upgraded to critical condition. The other victims include a 23-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old. Police have not released their names.

The university had earlier said the shooting involved multiple suspects, and police were searching for those involved. However, authorities have not provided further details about whether additional suspects remain at large. The motive is also still unknown.

Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation with assistance from Virginia State University Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. A significant police presence remained on campus as investigators processed the scene.

The shooting came just days before the start of the new academic year. Residence halls had opened a week earlier, and classes were scheduled to resume Monday. Many students had also recently taken part in the university’s “New Trojans Experience” programme for incoming students.

Virginia State University, located in Ettrick, about 24 miles south of Richmond, is a historically Black university with around 5,700 students. University officials said student safety remains their top priority and urged students to monitor their university emails for further safety information and support services.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she was praying for the quick recovery of those injured, while Sen. Mark Warner described the shooting as devastating for the university community.