Four people shot at NC Central homecoming celebration hours after shots fired on campus

Security is a top concern for the North Carolina Central University community.

Thousands gathered on campus for homecoming celebrations over the weekend when two unrelated shootings nearby disrupted the festivities.

Four individuals, including one student, are now recovering from gunshot wounds.

On Saturday at 7:43 p.m., NCCU police received reports of shots being fired near a residence hall. The university said an alert was immediately issued to the campus.

Investigators determined that three shots were fired into the air, but no one was hurt. This happened in the parking lot behind the Debra Saunders-White Residence Hall.

Police took one suspect into custody and issued an all clear to the campus at 8:11 p.m.

NC Central police arrested two individuals on Saturday around the time of the shootings.

Warrants show Joshua Michael Virgil charged with possessing a gun on educational property.

An NCCU assistant professor was one of those arrested, but all charges against him were later dismissed and his criminal record expunged. 

In the wake of this incident, the university said it began suspending activities and started clearing the campus.

During the sweep of the campus, officers in the area heard gunshots and issued a separate alert to campus at 8:59 p.m.

Investigators determined that four people, including one NCCU student, sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being shot near the Student Services Building on Eagle Campus Drive.

Anahya Noel, a NCCU student was out Saturday night when the celebration abruptly took a turn. 

"I was scared because,  I’m like oh my gosh, there could be a possible shooter close to us and you never know what can happen," Noel said. 

The campus was placed on lockdown until NCCU police issued an all clear to the campus at 11:48 p.m.

"I was here at my residence hall residence hall," Xavier Fenner, NCCU student said. "I was also holding the door open for anyone that didn’t have access to my residence hall for them to get inside and hide."

State and local law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigations into both incidents, the university said in a statement.

NCCU released a statement Sunday that read in part:

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) prepared and executed a comprehensive security protocol in preparation for the celebration of the Ultimate Homecoming Experience on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Despite this extensive preparation, it is not possible to entirely prevent random acts of violence. Unfortunately, our campus was visited by two such incidents that impacted the joy and enthusiasm felt by our campus community and guests during this celebration. The NCCU Police Department responded quickly and admirably to address the incidents and restore a sense of calm to the community.

The university also said they have nearly 2,000 security cameras actively monitored across campus. Additionally, over 100 officers from multiple agencies were on campus Saturday, according to NCCU police.

"It is something that is very unfortunate, but we can’t just let that stop us from having a good time," Fenner said. "We can’t let that stop us from us celebrating homecoming or the homecoming after that year. We’ve just got to regroup and think about what we can do better next year."

NCCU said controlled access barriers were set up, and crowds were monitored with drones, K-9 units and undercover officers.

The university said it has support resources for students, faculty and staff to use as needed. Students who would like to speak with a counselor may visit the NCCU Counseling Center during drop-in hours Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call the NCCU Counseling Center’s 24-hour line at 919-530-7646. Faculty and staff may utilize the ComPsych guidance resources on the university’s HR page.