One Person Is Killed and Another Injured in Two Campus Shootings at Winston Salem State During Homecoming Weekend, Police Say

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — Police in Winston-Salem said two shootings during homecoming weekend at Winston-Salem State University left one person dead and at least one other person injured, prompting arrests, a campus lockdown response and the cancellation of the rest of Sunday’s homecoming events.

Officers were already on campus for the festivities when they heard gunshots around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, according to police. They found a 19-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound and tried to help him, but he died at the scene. A 22-year-old woman with what appeared to be a gunshot wound was taken to a hospital, treated and later released.

Police arrest a 20-year-old man after the fatal shooting

Assistant Chief Jason Swaim said investigators later identified Ziyaire Spinks, 20, as the suspect in the first shooting. He was arrested Sunday and was being held without bond on charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm on educational property.

Police said the deadly shooting appeared to grow out of an argument between two groups of people. Officers also said Spinks was not a student at the university. Authorities have not released the name of the man who died.

Swaim described the case as an active investigation and said detectives were still working to piece together exactly what happened before the shots were fired. The arrest came after officers responded to the scene and followed leads developed overnight.

Second shooting on campus remains under investigation

Less than an hour after the first shooting, police responded to another round of gunfire on campus. Swaim said two people were injured when shots erupted after an altercation in that incident.

Investigators are still trying to determine whether the two shootings are connected. No arrests have been announced in the second case, and police have not said whether the victims in that shooting were students or visitors.

Chief William Penn Jr. said officers were determined to identify everyone responsible for the violence. He urged the public not to rush to judgment while investigators continue gathering evidence and witness statements.

University officials cancel the rest of homecoming events

University leaders moved quickly to shut down the remainder of homecoming activities on Sunday after the violence. Officials said a local church instead planned to lead a call for prayers in support of the campus community.

Chancellor Bonita J. Brown called the shootings “senseless violence” and said the campus was secure. In a statement, she told students, faculty and parents that additional law enforcement would remain on site while the investigation continued.

The university also offered counseling for anyone who needed help after the shootings. Brown said the school understood the fear and anxiety the events created for students, families and the broader community, and said campus safety remained a serious responsibility.

Law enforcement leaders urge patience as detectives sort out motive and timing

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. joined police officials at the news conference and echoed calls for prayer and unity. He said the community needed support and asked people to come together as investigators worked through the case.

Police have not publicly explained what led to the second shooting or whether either incident involved the same people. They also have not said what weapons were used or whether any additional suspects might be sought.

The timing of the two episodes, both during a major campus celebration, heightened concern across the university and the surrounding community. Officials said the investigation remains active and that more information could be released as detectives confirm the facts.

Community reaction centers on grief, concern and prayers

As news of the shootings spread, community members shared condolences and asked for prayers on social media. The response reflected shock over violence that unfolded during a weekend meant for celebration, alumni gatherings and school pride.

Brown said the university was focused on supporting students and restoring a sense of safety after the incident. Police leaders, meanwhile, emphasized that the correct suspects must be held responsible and that speculation could interfere with the investigation.

For now, authorities are treating the case as two separate but possibly related campus shootings. One person was killed, at least three others were injured across the two incidents, and the university’s homecoming weekend ended with grief instead of celebration.

What investigators have said so far about the campus violence

Police said the first shooting happened after an argument between two groups of people, while the second involved an altercation before shots were fired. Those are the only motive details officials have publicly released so far.

Investigators are still working to determine whether there is any connection between the two incidents. Until that question is answered, officials say the case remains open and fluid, with additional interviews and evidence review expected.

Police and university leaders both stressed that they want the public to wait for confirmed facts. They said the main priority now is identifying everyone involved and supporting the campus community as the investigation continues.