Suspect arrested in Virginia State shooting that wounded 5: Police
A suspect in the shooting at Virginia State University early Saturday that left five people wounded, including one critically, has been arrested after being found hiding in a closet on the campus hours after the shooting, according to police.
The Chesterfield County Police Department said they found Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico, Virginia, in a closet in Seward Hall, a residence hall on the school's campus, at about 4 p.m. -- more than 12 hours after the shooting was reported. Police said he is not a student at the university, which is located in Ettrick, Virginia.
Harris was taken to the Chesterfield County Jail where police said they obtained eight felony warrants -- four for malicious wounding and four for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Harris is being held without bond, according to police.
Police said the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
The shooting, which occurred outside the university residence halls shortly before 1:30 a.m. Saturday, prompted a lockdown that was later lifted.
One of those wounded was a 20-year-old VSU student, who sustained non-life threatening injuries and has been released from the hospital, according to police and the university.
The four other victims are not students at the school, according to police.
One person, a 21-year-old man who was initially listed as having life-threatening injuries, was upgraded to critical condition, police said in a news release Saturday night. The other victims were a 23-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old.
The university said there would be an increased police presence on campus.
"VSU Police will maintain an increased presence on campus as the investigation continues. Students should monitor their VSU email for additional safety measures currently in effect and information about available support resources," the university said.
"Although the lockdown has been lifted, members of the VSU community are asked to remain mindful of the ongoing law enforcement activity and avoid the immediate area where investigators are processing the scene," the university said Saturday morning.
A significant law enforcement presence remains on campus while the investigation continues, the university said.
In a statement Saturday, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said, "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. Thank you to the first responders and law enforcement who responded to the scene."
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said he was "heartbroken to hear" of the shooting.
"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," Warner said.
Chesterfield County Police are leading the investigation, with assistance from Virginia State University Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact Chesterfield County Police at 804-748-1251, Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660, or VSU Police at 804-524-5411.
