On Saturday morning, a shooting at Virginia State University (VSU) in Ettrick, Virginia, resulted in five people getting shot, according to VSU officials and police. One of the victims remains in critical condition.
Authorities arrested Camron Harris, a 19-year-old from Henrico, Virginia, who was found hiding in a dormitory closet on the VSU campus. Harris, who is not a VSU student, faces eight felony charges, including malicious wounding and the use of a firearm during a felony.
The incident occurred on the 3300 block of Boisseau Street. Officers arrived at approximately 1:28 a.m. and found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside the university’s residence halls. All five were taken to local hospitals for treatment.
A university official confirmed that one victim, a VSU student, had been released from the hospital after sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, while four other victims, aged 17 to 23, were not students of VSU. The names of those injured have not been disclosed, and a motive remains unknown.
VSU had announced earlier that multiple suspects were involved. However, the police had not specified additional suspects by Saturday evening. The incident prompted a significant police presence on campus.
The campus had been placed on lockdown following the shooting, but the lockdown was lifted later. Classes for the fall semester are scheduled to begin on the next Monday.
Virginia State University, an HBCU that lies about 25 miles south of Richmond, has reassured the community that there is currently no immediate threat. VSU police have increased their presence as the investigation progresses. The Chesterfield County Police Department leads the investigation, with support from VSU police, the ATF, and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger expressed her prayers for the injured, while Rozia A. Henson Jr., a Virginia House of Delegates member and VSU alumnus, also extended his condolences to those affected.
Authorities continue to encourage anyone with information to contact the Chesterfield County Police, Crime Solvers, or the VSU police.