PETERSBURG, Va. — A 19-year-old man was arrested Saturday after being discovered hiding in a dormitory closet on the Virginia State University campus in connection with an overnight shooting that wounded five people, authorities said.
Suspect located in dorm after early-morning shooting
Chesterfield County police identified the suspect as Camron Harris of Henrico. Harris, who is not enrolled at VSU, was taken into custody hours after officers responded to reports of gunfire just after 1:30 a.m. outside residence halls in the university’s Quad Annexes, according to a police statement.
Police said the five victims ranged in age from 17 to 23. One of the wounded — a 20-year-old student — has been released from the hospital. The others include a 21-year-old man described as in critical condition, a 23-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman, and a 17-year-old boy, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have not released the victims’ names.
Charges and investigation
Police obtained eight felony warrants for Harris. The charges include malicious wounding and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. It was not clear Saturday evening whether Harris had retained an attorney. Officials said additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.
| Victim age | Status |
|---|---|
| 20 | Student; released from hospital |
| 21 | In critical condition |
| 23 | Injured; condition not specified |
| 19 | Injured; condition not specified |
| 17 | Injured; non-life-threatening |
Campus response and safety measures
University officials initially reported a campus lockdown as law enforcement converged on the residential area. By Saturday afternoon, authorities said the campus lockdown had been lifted and that they did not believe there was an immediate threat to the VSU community.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority,”
that statement continued, acknowledging concern among students, parents and alumni. Residence halls had reopened at the university about a week earlier, and many incoming students had been participating in the school’s orientation program, the New Trojans Experience, ahead of classes scheduled to resume Monday.
Search for additional suspects and broader context
VSU officials said earlier that officers were seeking multiple suspects, though Chesterfield County police did not provide additional details Saturday evening about whether other persons remained under investigation or at large. Law enforcement maintained a large presence on campus through the morning hours following the shooting.
The incident occurred during a sensitive time for campus life, as students returned for the fall term. University leaders emphasized their focus on student safety and support services while investigators worked to piece together what led to the shooting.
- Arrest: Camron Harris, 19, of Henrico — found hiding in a dorm closet
- Victims: Five people shot — ages 17 to 23; one student among them
- Charges: Eight felony warrants including malicious wounding and firearm-related counts
Officials have not released a motive. Efforts to reach Harris’ family by telephone were unsuccessful, and police did not immediately provide information about whether the suspect had been interviewed publicly or had an attorney speak on his behalf.
As the investigation continues, the university and law enforcement urged anyone with information to come forward to assist detectives. Students and parents seeking support or information were directed to university resources and campus safety offices for updates.
Chesterfield County police said they may file additional charges pending the outcome of their ongoing investigation.
