Authorities have arrested 19-year-old Camron Harris in connection with a shooting that left five people wounded at Nbcnews. The violence occurred early Saturday at approximately 1:30 a.m. near the university’s Quad Annexes in Ettrick, Virginia.
Suspect Arrested Following Campus Shooting
Following the gunfire, which prompted a campus-wide lockdown, investigators discovered Harris hiding inside a residence hall closet more than 14 hours after the incident. Police confirmed that Harris, a resident of Henrico County, is not a student at the university. He is currently being held without bond at the Chesterfield County Jail.
Investigation and Legal Charges
The Chesterfield County Police Department, which is leading the investigation with assistance from the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, has obtained eight felony warrants against Harris. These include counts of malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Harris is scheduled to appear in state court to face these charges.
While Harris is in custody, investigators are continuing to search for additional individuals who may have fired weapons during the altercation. Lt. James Lamb, commander of the Chesterfield County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, stated that authorities are working to determine the circumstances of the shooting, including whether others who fired weapons acted in self-defense or were among the aggressors. Police have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting.
Victims and Campus Impact
The five victims, who range in age from 17 to 23, were found by campus police and Chesterfield County officers outside of residence halls. According to authorities, four of the five individuals injured were not students at the university. The one victim who is enrolled at the school is a 20-year-old man; he has been treated and released from the hospital. Of the remaining victims, one 21-year-old man was reported to be in critical condition, while a 17-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man, and a 19-year-old woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The shooting occurred just days before the start of the autumn semester, which is set to begin on Monday. Many students had recently completed the university’s New Trojans Experience
program for incoming students. While the campus lockdown was lifted on Saturday morning after officials determined there was no immediate threat, the university maintained a heavy police presence on the grounds.
University Response
Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah expressed gratitude for the arrest in a statement issued Sunday. He emphasized that the safety and well-being of the campus community remain a top priority.
We understand the concern an incident like this creates, particularly for parents and families who entrust their students to our care,
Abdullah said. Virginia State University is a strong and resilient community. In challenging moments, that strength is evident in the way we come together, care for one another and move forward together.
Arthur Fridrich, the university’s former director of distance education, noted the impact of the event on the campus community as students prepared to return for classes. To start a new year with this event is very tragic,
Fridrich said. It casts a shadow in the minds of all students.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger also addressed the incident on social media, stating that she and her husband were praying for the recovery of the victims and offering her support to the VSU community.
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