A 19-year-old man was arrested Saturday in connection with a shooting that wounded five people outside residence halls at Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia. Authorities said the suspect, Camron Harris of Henrico, is not a student at the university. Police located him hiding in a closet inside a campus dormitory after an hours-long manhunt. One victim was in critical condition, and authorities said additional charges remain possible.
The shooting occurred at approximately 1:28 a.m. on August 15 in the 3300 block of Boisseau Street. Police said all five victims suffered gunshot wounds, but only one was identified as a university student. The identities of the victims have not been released.
Harris is being held without bail at Chesterfield County Jail on eight felony counts. The university lifted its campus lockdown but said police would maintain an increased presence while the investigation continued.
| 1) | Shooting wounds five people near university residence halls |
| 2) | Police arrest nonstudent suspect after campus search |
| 3) | Felony warrants outline alleged offenses |
| 4) | University responds with security and support measures |
| 5) | Investigation continues as victims remain unidentified |
Shooting wounds five people near university residence halls
Officers responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at about 1:28 a.m. Saturday after reports of gunfire outside Virginia State University residence halls. They found five people suffering from gunshot wounds. The incident took place near student housing at the Ettrick campus, about 25 miles south of Richmond.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or described the circumstances that led to the shooting. One of the five wounded people was in critical condition, while the conditions of the others were not specified in the available information. Police said only one victim was a university student.
Police arrest nonstudent suspect after campus search
Police arrested Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, Virginia, several hours after the shooting. Investigators said Harris is not enrolled at Virginia State University. The arrest followed an hours-long manhunt involving the campus and surrounding area.
Authorities said officers ultimately found Harris hiding in a closet inside one of the university’s dormitory buildings. The circumstances of his entry into the building and whether he had any connection to the victims have not been publicly detailed. Harris was taken into custody without a reported confrontation.
Felony warrants outline alleged offenses
Police obtained felony warrants charging Harris with four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. The eight charges relate to the five-person shooting, although the available information did not explain how the counts were assigned among the victims.
Harris is being held without bail at Chesterfield County Jail. Authorities said he could face additional charges as detectives continue gathering evidence and reviewing the events before, during and after the shooting. The charges are allegations, and any further court proceedings will determine the case’s legal outcome.
University responds with security and support measures
Virginia State University, a state-supported historically Black university, said the incident caused concern among students, parents, alumni, friends and the broader campus community. University officials said campus police would maintain an increased presence while the investigation continued.
A campus lockdown imposed after the shooting was later lifted. Students were instructed to monitor their university email for additional safety measures and information about available support resources. The measures were intended to keep the campus community informed while police processed the crime scene and pursued the investigation.
Investigation continues as victims remain unidentified
Police have not released the victims’ names, and officials have provided limited information about the motive or circumstances of the shooting. Investigators are expected to determine what led to the gunfire, how Harris reached the dormitory and whether other people were involved.
The arrest ended the immediate search for a suspect, but the investigation remains active. Authorities may provide further information about the victims’ conditions, evidence recovered and any additional charges as the case develops.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Five people were wounded outside Virginia State University residence halls. |
| 2 | Camron Harris, 19, was arrested after being found in a dormitory closet. |
| 3 | Harris faces four malicious-wounding counts and four firearm-related felony counts. |
| 4 | The campus lockdown was lifted, while increased police patrols and student support measures remained in place. |
Summary
The arrest of Camron Harris followed a shooting that wounded five people near Virginia State University residence halls. Harris, who is not a university student, faces eight felony charges and remains jailed without bail. Investigators continue to examine the motive, the victims’ circumstances and whether further charges are warranted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Virginia State University?
Five people were shot outside university residence halls in the early morning hours of August 15. One victim was in critical condition, and only one of the five was identified as a university student.
Who was arrested?
Police arrested Camron Harris, a 19-year-old man from Henrico, Virginia. Authorities said he is not a student at Virginia State University.
What charges does the suspect face?
Harris faces four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Authorities said additional charges may be filed.
What is the status of the campus?
The campus lockdown has been lifted. University officials said police would maintain an increased presence and advised students to monitor university email for safety information and support resources.
