PETERSBURG, Va. — A 19-year-old man was arrested Saturday after five people were shot outside dormitories at Virginia State University, Chesterfield County police said. Officers responding in the predawn hours located multiple victims on campus and later found the suspect hiding inside a closet in a residence hall.
Early-morning shooting leaves five wounded
Police were dispatched at about 1:28 a.m. Saturday following reports of gunfire near university housing. When officers arrived, they discovered five people suffering from gunshot wounds outside dormitory buildings. Authorities described the conditions of the victims as ranging from critical to non-life-threatening.
The following information about the victims was released by investigators:
- 21-year-old man — non-student; critical injuries
- 23-year-old man — non-student; non-life-threatening injuries
- 19-year-old woman — non-student; non-life-threatening injuries
- 17-year-old boy — non-student; non-life-threatening injuries
- 20-year-old man — student; non-life-threatening injuries
Suspect located inside campus residence hall
Investigators identified 19-year-old Camron Harris as a suspect in the shooting. Police said Harris was found hiding in a closet inside Seward Hall on the university’s campus and taken into custody at about 4 p.m. Saturday. He is not enrolled as a student at the university, according to officials.
Harris was transported to the Chesterfield County Jail, where investigators obtained eight felony warrants: four counts of malicious wounding and four counts alleging use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held without bond.
Police seek others who fired weapons
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and that additional individuals fired weapons during the incident. Officials have not disclosed how many other people may have discharged firearms or whether they acted in self-defense. Efforts to identify and locate those individuals are underway.
"We don’t have specific locations that we are looking (at) yet as we are working on identifying them,"
The statement reflected the challenges investigators face in reconstructing the sequence of events and determining roles of those involved.
Campus response and public safety
The shooting prompted a campus lockdown as students were preparing for the upcoming academic term. University and local law enforcement coordinated at the scene; additional details on campus safety measures or any follow-up notifications to students have not been released.
Chesterfield County Police asked anyone with information to contact their Major Crimes Unit. Tips can be reported at 804-748-1251.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Call time | 1:28 a.m., Saturday |
| Arrest time | About 4 p.m., Saturday |
| Location | Virginia State University — Seward Hall area |
| Suspect | Camron Harris, 19 — not a student |
| Charges | Four counts malicious wounding; four counts use of a firearm |
What investigators are focusing on
Police said they are trying to piece together how the shooting began, whether any of the people who fired acted in self-defense and how many shooters were involved. Investigators will review witness accounts, surveillance footage and ballistic evidence as part of the probe.
Because several victims were identified as non-students, the inquiry spans both campus and off-campus connections. Officials have not released additional information about possible motives or whether any of the wounded were targeted specifically.
As the university community processes the incident, law enforcement reiterated the importance of eyewitness information. Those with relevant details are urged to call the Chesterfield County Police Department at 804-748-1251.
The case remains active and police said further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
