Virginia State University Shooting Suspect Found Hiding in Campus Closet 14 Hours After Five People Were Wounded

A 19-year-old man accused of opening fire at Virginia State University was discovered hiding inside a campus dormitory more than 14 hours after the shooting left five people wounded, authorities said.

Camron Harris, of Henrico, Virginia, was arrested at around 4 p.m. Saturday after Chesterfield County police located him inside a closet at Seward Hall. Harris is not a student at the university and is now being held without bond.

The arrest brought an end to a lengthy search that followed the early-morning violence, which erupted during the university’s move-in weekend.

Five people wounded as campus placed on lockdown

Police said gunfire broke out shortly before 1:30 a.m. near one of the university’s residence halls.

Five people between the ages of 17 and 23 were wounded. Authorities said one of the victims was a 20-year-old Virginia State University student, while the other four were not enrolled at the school.

All five were taken to hospital for treatment. One victim was later released, while officials initially said another was in critical condition.

The shooting triggered an emergency response across the campus, with the university temporarily placed under lockdown as officers searched for those believed to have been involved.

Harris, who lives roughly 30 miles away in Henrico, remained somewhere on the campus as the search continued.

Suspect discovered inside dorm closet

More than 14 hours after the first shots were reported, investigators finally located Harris hiding inside a closet at Seward Hall, according to reports citing Chesterfield County police.

He was taken into custody and transported to the Chesterfield County Jail.

Harris faces eight felony counts — four counts of malicious wounding and four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held without bond, and authorities have previously indicated that additional charges could be possible.

Police have not publicly identified the victims, and investigators have yet to announce a suspected motive.

The university’s lockdown was eventually lifted after officials said there was no longer believed to be an immediate threat to the campus community.

Questions remain over what sparked the shooting

The discovery of Harris inside a university building adds another striking detail to an investigation that remains far from complete.

Authorities had initially indicated they were searching for multiple suspects following the shooting, but further details about other potential individuals involved have not been publicly disclosed.

Investigators are now working to establish what led to the gunfire, why Harris was allegedly on the campus despite not being a student and what happened during the hours between the shooting and his arrest.

The case remains under investigation, and the charges against Harris are allegations unless and until proven in court.