Authorities arrested and charged a 19-year-old man in Saturday’s shooting at Virginia State University that left five injured, including one person in critical condition.
Chesterfield County police said they took Camron Harris into custody after finding him hiding inside a closet in the Seward Hall student dormitory around 4 p.m. Saturday.
Officials said Mr. Harris, who is not a student at the college located in Ettrick, faces charges of malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He’s behind bars at the Chesterfield County Jail.
Police said the victims ranged in age from 17 to 23, four of whom are not students. Most of those hit by gunfire suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but authorities said a 21-year-old man injured during the shooting was still in critical condition Saturday night.
“Adam and I are praying for a quick recovery for those who were shot this morning at Virginia State University, and our thoughts are with the VSU community,” Gov. Abigail Spanberger said Saturday, referring to her husband. “Thank you to the first responders and law enforcement who responded to the scene.”
The university said police will have an increased presence on campus as the investigation continues. Students had been arriving at the historically Black college for the fall semester.
Police were first called about the shooting around 1:30 a.m. Saturday near the university’s Quad Annexes.
Officers found five people with gunshot wounds at the scene. Police said a 23-year-old man, a 20-year-old male student, a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.
Officials locked down the campus until 8:20 a.m. Saturday after police determined there was no ongoing threat.
Police said they couldn’t find the suspect for more than 12 hours after the shots erupted.
“I’m heartbroken to hear of a shooting early this morning on Virginia State University’s campus,” Sen. Mark Warner, Virginia Democrat, said in a statement. I’m thinking of all who were injured and of the entire VSU community after this tragedy. It’s devastating to see another Virginia campus harmed by gun violence.”
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