Former student arrested in murder of NCCU freshman

Denzel James Fitzgerald, 20, turned himself in on Wednesday after he was indicted earlier this week. Police have not released a motive in the shooting. They said the case remains under investigation.

Investigators say Fitzgerald fatally shot 20-year-old Trevor Malik VanDyke. Police found VanDyke in the 4600 block of Industry Lane shortly after 9:30 p.m. on March 2. They said he had been shot at the nearby Campus Crossings apartment complex and drove to Industry Lane following the shooting.

North Carolina Central University officials confirmed Fitzgerald is a former student, enrolled from the fall of 2017 to the spring of 2020. Officials at the school could not release any further information on why Fitzgerald left the school.

VanDyke had just started at NCCU and was very excited to have the opportunity to play football for the university, according to a cousin. The Clayton High School graduate was expected to walk on in the coming season, NCCU head football coach Trei Oliver said.

Thursday afternoon, Jacob Irving, NCCU's student body vice president, offered his "deepest condolences" to VanDyke's family and friends.

"Trevor was well known on campus and truly made an impact on and off the football field," Irving said in a press release. "I didn’t know Trevor personally, but Trevor meant a lot to everyone who knew him.

"The Eagle family lost a valuable life that didn’t deserve to be taken away. We are all still grieving his loss. We remain in a time of mourning, but together, we will get through this tragedy.

"I’m grateful that the individual who killed Trevor has been brought to justice. I urge everyone to continue to keep Trevor’s family as well as, Mr. Denzel Fitzgerald’s family, in their prayers."

Nyquasia Brown was a close friend of VanDyke and is also a freshman at NCCU.

"It has been very hard for the whole Eagle community, his family, his friends," Brown said. "It’s a really hard thing to take in.

"It’s something I feel like I’m going to battle with for a long time. I mean, not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. Not a day goes by that I don’t talk about him."

Brown said she doesn't know the suspect and has never seen him. She also said she doesn't know if VanDyke knew Fitzgerald.

"I just hope everyone can keep the peace and allow Trevor to rest in peace," Brown said. "Like we just lost two Eagles, you know. It’s a really big thing.

"I just still now, it’s just like, I keep wondering why someone would do this. Why would someone take his life away.

"I really think that’s the one thing that’s going to give everybody closure, when we find out why.

"I’m praying for the investigators, I’m praying for their minds, souls, and bodies so they can do the best job possible. I’m praying for Trevor’s family. I’m praying for our Eagle community, most definitely."