Police are seeking additional people who fired weapons during a shooting near Virginia State University residence halls that wounded five people early Saturday. Investigators are working to determine whether those individuals were aggressors or acted in self-defense. A 19-year-old non-student suspect remains jailed without bond, while the university continues cooperating with local, state and federal authorities. Campus police are maintaining an increased presence as the investigation proceeds.
| 1) | Investigators search for other shooters |
| 2) | Five victims were found near residence halls |
| 3) | Non-student suspect faces multiple charges |
| 4) | University lockdown was lifted after threat assessment |
| 5) | Campus leaders emphasize safety and cooperation |
Investigators search for other shooters
Detectives with the Chesterfield County Police Department and Virginia State University police are trying to identify everyone who fired a weapon during the incident. The gunfire occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the Quad Annexes residential area in Ettrick, Virginia, roughly 24 miles south of Richmond.
Authorities have not said how many additional shooters they are seeking or identified their locations. Lt. James Lamb, commander of the county department’s Major Crimes Unit, said investigators were still determining the roles of those involved, including whether some gunfire was defensive. The inquiry remains active and involves local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Five victims were found near residence halls
Responding officers found five people with gunshot wounds outside campus residence halls. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 23, and only one, a 20-year-old man, was a Virginia State student.
The student suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was treated at a hospital and released. A 21-year-old non-student man remained in critical condition. A 23-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old man sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening and were expected to recover, according to police and university officials.
Non-student suspect faces multiple charges
Police arrested Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, after finding him hiding in a closet inside Seward Hall, a campus residence hall. Officers located him at about 4 p.m. Saturday, more than 14 hours after the shooting and several hours after the campus lockdown had been lifted.
Harris is not a Virginia State student. He faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was being held without bond at the Chesterfield County jail and was scheduled to appear in state court Monday. Investigators have not said whether the charges will change as they assess the actions of other people who fired weapons.
University lockdown was lifted after threat assessment
The shooting prompted a lockdown as police assessed whether an immediate danger remained on campus. Authorities later lifted the order after determining there was no continuing threat to the university community.
Virginia State University is a historically Black public university with about 5,700 students. It was the first fully state-supported four-year college established for Black Americans. The incident took place near student housing, making the initial emergency response and subsequent security measures particularly important for residents and families.
Campus leaders emphasize safety and cooperation
University President Makola Abdullah addressed the campus community Sunday evening, saying the investigation remained underway and that the university was cooperating with law enforcement. He thanked university police and the other agencies assisting with the case.
Abdullah also acknowledged the concern among students, parents and families and said student and campus safety remained among the university’s highest priorities. Police planned to keep an increased presence on campus while detectives continued gathering evidence and clarifying what led to the gunfire.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Five people aged 17 to 23 were wounded near residence halls. |
| 2 | A 21-year-old man remained in critical condition. |
| 3 | Camron Harris faces eight felony-related counts and is jailed without bond. |
| 4 | Police are investigating whether other shooters acted in self-defense. |
Summary
The Virginia State University shooting left five people wounded and led to one arrest, but investigators are still determining the involvement of other people who fired weapons. The campus lockdown ended after authorities found no immediate continuing threat, while increased police presence and university cooperation remain in place as the case develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were wounded?
Five people were wounded. Their ages ranged from 17 to 23, and one victim was a Virginia State University student.
Who was arrested?
Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, was arrested after police found him hiding in Seward Hall. He was not a university student.
Are investigators seeking other suspects?
Yes. Police are trying to identify other people who fired weapons and determine whether they were aggressors or acted in self-defense.
