One dead in shooting at Winston-Salem State University, 20-year-old youth apprehended

A 20-year-old youth has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting at Winston-Salem State University, a historically Black university located in North Carolina. One person has died in the incident, while another person was injured. The arrested 20-year-old, Ziyair Spinks, has been charged with murder and possession of firearms on an educational institution's premises and has been held in custody without bail.

According to a report by The Independent, the incident took place during the homecoming weekend. Jason Swaim, Assistant Chief of the Winston-Salem Police Department, stated that police officers reached the campus on Saturday night around 9.45 pm after receiving information about the shooting. There, they found a 19-year-old youth who had been shot, but efforts to save him were unsuccessful. Additionally, a 22-year-old woman was also found at the scene who appeared to have been shot. She was taken to the hospital, from where she was discharged after treatment.

According to the police, this was an isolated incident and the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is still ongoing. In a news conference held early in the morning, the police informed that two separate shooting incidents occurred on campus on Saturday night, although no details were provided regarding the second incident.

Following the tragedy, university officials cancelled all remaining homecoming events. Instead, a local church organised a prayer session for community support. Chancellor Bonita J. Brown issued a statement on Sunday morning, describing the incident as "senseless violence."

Brown assured students, faculty, and parents that the campus is secure and additional police will be deployed until the investigation continues. She further stated, "We understand the anxiety and unrest that these incidents have created among our students, parents, families, and the wider community. We take our responsibility for campus security seriously and are committed to the well-being of every member of the university community." Counselling facilities are also being provided by the university as required.