A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at Virginia State University that left five people injured. Camron Harris was taken into custody after reportedly being found hiding in a dormitory closet approximately 14 hours after the attack, according to reports.
The shooting occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, triggering an hours-long campus-wide lockdown that was lifted seven hours later. All five victims, aged between 17 and 23, were transported to area hospitals, with one person listed in critical condition.
Investigation and charges
Harris is being held at Chesterfield County Jail without bond, facing eight felony warrants. These include four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Virginia State University released a statement confirming that officers responded to the 3300 block of Boisseau Street at approximately 1:20am and discovered five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds outside VSU residence halls. The university noted that a significant law enforcement presence remains on campus as the investigation continues.
Victims and community response
Only one of the five injured individuals was a student at the university, according to reports. A 20-year-old student has since been released from hospital after receiving medical care.
The shooting took place just two days before the university's autumn semester was due to start. Virginia State University is a historically Black university with about 5,700 students.
Governor Abigail Spanberger said in a social media statement that she and her husband were 'praying for a quick recovery for those who were shot this morning at Virginia State University, and our thoughts are with the VSU community'.
Ongoing investigation
Local police previously said they were searching for several suspects, and it is not clear if they are still looking for anyone else. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
