On Saturday, September 2, 2023, police arrested a 19-year-old, Camron Harris, found hiding in a dormitory closet at Virginia State University (VSU) following an overnight shooting on campus that injured five individuals. The incident left one victim in critical condition. Harris, a resident of Henrico, Virginia, is not a student at VSU, and authorities confirmed that four of the injured parties were also not affiliated with the university. Ranging in age from 17 to 23, one of the wounded individuals is a 20-year-old student who has since been released from the hospital. Names of the victims have not been disclosed.
Chesterfield County Police stated that they have issued eight felony warrants for Harris, including charges for malicious wounding and using a firearm during the commission of a felony. There is currently no information available regarding a potential motive behind the shooting. It is also unclear if Harris has obtained legal representation to speak on his behalf. Efforts to contact Harris' family by phone have not been successful as well.
Initially, the university indicated that authorities were searching for multiple suspects related to the shooting. However, as of Saturday evening, no further information regarding the search was released. University officials reassured the campus community that there was no immediate threat, allowing the campus lockdown to be lifted. The shooting occurred just after 1:30 a.m., near the institution's Quad Annexes, where campus police, alongside Chesterfield County officers, found five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds outside dormitories.
According to VSU’s website, residence halls had opened a week prior to the shooting, and classes were set to resume on Monday, September 4, 2023. Many incoming students had just participated in the "New Trojans Experience," an introduction program designed to welcome new members of the student body.
In an official statement, the university expressed concerns for its students, parents, alumni, and the broader VSU community, emphasizing, "The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority." On Saturday morning, law enforcement maintained a significant presence on campus, and students were instructed to monitor their emails for updates regarding additional safety measures and available support services. Agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office participated in the investigation alongside county police.
Virginia State University is a historically Black institution located in Ettrick, Virginia, approximately 24 miles (39 kilometers) south of Richmond, the state capital. The public university serves around 5,700 students and holds a significant place in history as the first fully state-supported four-year college for Black Americans. Most of its student population comprises undergraduates.
Arthur Fridrich, the former director of distance education at VSU, commented on the shooting, noting its tragic occurrence as students were preparing to return for a new academic year. He stated, "To start a new year with this event is very tragic. It casts a shadow in the minds of all students, and for some it will be difficult to rid their minds of this term." Fridrich expressed empathy for the victims, hoping for their recovery while wishing that this incident would not define their lives.
