Additional Coverage:
- Virginia police seek others who fired shots in Virginia State University shooting that wounded 5 (foxnews.com)
Authorities Continue Search for Additional Shooters in Virginia State University Incident
Police are actively seeking more individuals involved in a shooting at Virginia State University that left five people injured. Investigators are currently trying to determine whether those involved were acting as aggressors or in self-defense.
The investigation is ongoing, with a 19-year-old suspect, who is not enrolled as a student at the university, held without bond. Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah addressed the campus community Sunday evening, emphasizing the university’s cooperation with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
An increased police presence will remain on campus as authorities continue their work.
Details on the Investigation
Officials have not disclosed how many others fired weapons during the incident or publicly named any additional suspects. Lt. James Lamb, commander of the Chesterfield County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, stated that detectives are focused on identifying all involved parties and clarifying their roles.
“At this time, we don’t have specific locations we’re concentrating on as we work to identify those responsible,” Lamb said.
About Virginia State University and the Victims
Virginia State University, located in Ettrick, Virginia, roughly 24 miles south of Richmond, is a historically Black public university with approximately 5,700 students. It was the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans.
The victims of the shooting range in age from 17 to 23. Among them, only one-a 20-year-old male student-suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A 21-year-old non-student male remains in critical condition, while the other three victims, including a 23-year-old male, a 19-year-old female, and a 17-year-old male, are expected to recover from non-life-threatening wounds.
Incident Timeline and Arrest
The shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the Quad Annexes residential area on campus.
Responding Virginia State University police and Chesterfield County officers found five individuals with gunshot wounds outside residence halls. A campus lockdown was imposed and later lifted after authorities confirmed no ongoing threat.
Later that day, at approximately 4 p.m., Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, was arrested after being found hiding in a closet within Seward Hall, a campus dormitory. Harris, who is not a student at Virginia State, faces multiple charges, including four counts of malicious wounding and four counts related to firearm use in the commission of a felony. He remains held without bond and was scheduled to appear in state court Monday.
Campus Response
In a message to students and families, President Abdullah expressed gratitude to the police and law enforcement agencies assisting with the case. He acknowledged the concerns felt by parents and the community and reaffirmed that student and campus safety remain top priorities. He concluded by describing Virginia State as a “strong and resilient community.”
The investigation continues as authorities work to bring clarity and accountability to the incident.