ETTRICK, VA — A 19-year-old man has been arrested following a shooting at Virginia State University that left five people injured and forced the campus into lockdown just before the beginning of the fall semester.
The shooting happened at approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15, near the university’s Quad Annexes residence halls, in the area of Boisseau Street and Third Avenue. Responding officers discovered five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside the dormitories.
Five People Injured
The victims range in age from 17 to 23 years old. One victim, a 21-year-old man, was reported in critical condition, while the other four suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Police say only one of the five victims is a Virginia State University student. The 20-year-old student has since been released from the hospital. The other four victims are not students at the university.
Suspect Found Inside Dormitory
Authorities identified the arrested suspect as Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, Virginia.
Police say Harris, who is not a VSU student, was located more than 14 hours after the shooting. Authorities found him hiding inside a closet in Seward Hall, a residence hall on campus.
Harris faces eight felony charges, including four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Investigation Continues
Although one person has been arrested, authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police initially reported that the incident involved multiple suspects. Investigators are now working to identify other people who may have fired weapons during the incident and determine what role they may have played.
A motive for the shooting has not been publicly announced.
The Chesterfield County Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from Virginia State University Police and other law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Campus Lockdown Lifted
The shooting prompted VSU officials to place the campus under lockdown early Saturday as police searched the area and investigated reports of multiple shooters.
The lockdown was later lifted after authorities determined there was no immediate threat to the campus community. VSU has said an increased law enforcement presence will remain on campus as the investigation moves forward.
The timing of the shooting was particularly concerning for the university community because it happened as students were returning for the new academic year. Many incoming students had recently participated in VSU’s New Trojans Experience, and classes were scheduled to begin Monday, August 17.
Virginia State University is a historically Black public university located in Ettrick, roughly 24 miles south of Richmond, with approximately 5,700 students.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine exactly what led to the gunfire and whether additional people will face charges.
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