Fatal shooting at Winston-Salem State homecoming leaves 1 dead, suspect charged with murder
A man was killed and at least three others wounded in two separate shootings at Winston-Salem State University during homecoming weekend. A 20-year-old from Greensboro has been arrested.
One killed, suspect arrested after double shooting at WSSU homecoming
A 19-year-old man was shot dead and a 22-year-old woman wounded during homecoming weekend at Winston-Salem State University, a historically Black university in North Carolina, spectrumlocalnews.com reports. A second shooting on the same campus followed less than an hour later, injuring two more people.
Winston-Salem police officers already on campus for the homecoming events heard gunshots at around 9:45 p.m. Saturday. They found the 19-year-old with a gunshot wound and rendered aid, but he died at the scene. The woman was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and released.
Assistant Chief Jason Swaim said at a news conference that the investigation led officers to Ziyaire Spinks, 20, of Greensboro. Spinks was arrested and is being held without bond on charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm on educational property. Police said the first shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups. Neither Spinks nor the victim were students at the university, police and school officials confirmed.
The second shooting occurred less than an hour later, when officers again heard gunfire on campus. Swaim said two people were injured after an altercation. No arrests have been made in that case. Authorities said they are investigating whether the two incidents are connected.
Chief William Penn Jr. of the Winston-Salem Police Department pledged at a news conference that all those responsible will be identified. "It's important that the blame of these tragic events go to the right people and that's the folks who committed these acts," Penn said, urging the public not to point fingers while the investigation remains ongoing.
University officials canceled all remaining homecoming activities on Sunday. A local church stepped in to lead a community prayer gathering. The school offered counselling for anyone in need, and all classes were canceled Monday to allow students time to access support, though campus operations and administrative offices remained open. Classes are set to resume Tuesday.
Chancellor Bonita Brown described the shootings as "senseless violence." In a statement, she assured students, faculty, and parents that the campus was secure and that additional law enforcement would remain on site while the investigation continues. "We also recognise the concern and anxiety these events have created among our students, parents, families and broader community," Brown said. "We take our responsibility for campus safety seriously."
Community members shared condolences on social media and called for prayers in the aftermath of the violence.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)