19-Year-Old Arrested After Shooting Leaves Five Injured at Virginia State University
Camron Harris Arrested in Dormitory Closet
Police arrested a 19-year-old found hiding in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University on Saturday. The arrest followed an overnight shooting on the campus that left five people wounded, including one victim who sustained critical injuries, according to Chesterfield County Police.
The suspect, Camron Harris of Henrico, Virginia, is not a student at the university, police said. Investigators obtained eight felony warrants for Harris, including charges for malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. It was not immediately clear if he had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf, and authorities have not released information regarding a possible motive.
Early Morning Chaos Near the Quad Annexes
The shooting occurred just after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday near the university’s Quad Annexes outside campus residence halls. The violence prompted a temporary campus lockdown as students prepared for the academic year.
When campus police and Chesterfield County officers arrived at the scene, they found five people suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 23.
Victims Recover as Investigation Widens
According to Lt. James R. Lamb with the Chesterfield County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Major Crimes Unit, one of the victims is a university student who has since been released from the hospital. The other victims are believed to be from surrounding communities. Four of the injured individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
University officials initially stated that law enforcement was searching for multiple suspects, though police did not provide additional updates on Saturday evening regarding ongoing searches. Authorities later lifted the campus lockdown, stating that law enforcement did not believe there was an immediate threat to the campus community.
Campus Prepares for Classes Amid Heavy Security
Virginia State University is a historically Black public university located in Ettrick, Virginia, roughly 24 miles south of Richmond, enrolling approximately 5,700 students.
Residence halls opened to students a week prior to the incident, and classes are scheduled to resume on Monday following the conclusion of the university’s “New Trojans Experience” program for incoming students.
State and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, assisted Chesterfield County police with the response and ongoing investigation. University officials announced that a significant law enforcement presence would remain on campus while the inquiry continues.