The shootings happened during Winston-Salem State University’s homecoming weekend, and investigators have not determined whether the incidents were connected.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — One person was killed and three others were injured in two separate shootings on the Winston-Salem State University campus Saturday night during homecoming weekend, authorities said. Police said the investigations remained in their early stages Sunday and it was not yet clear whether the shootings were connected.
Winston-Salem police received a call about gunfire at about 9:45 p.m. Nov. 7, according to authorities. Emergency responders transported three people to a hospital, and police later confirmed that the two incidents together resulted in one death and three injuries. Officials had not publicly released the identities of the person who died or those who were wounded, nor had they provided details about their conditions.
Assistant Police Chief Jason Swaim said during an early Sunday news conference that investigators were treating the incidents as two separate shootings while working to determine what happened. He said it was too early in the investigation to know whether there was a connection between them. Authorities also had not announced a motive or publicly identified any suspects.
The shootings occurred as Winston-Salem State University was celebrating its 2026 homecoming weekend, which brought students, alumni, families and visitors to the historically Black university. The university had planned several events around Saturday’s homecoming football game against Fayetteville State University, with campus access and parking restrictions in place because of the expected crowds.
The campus was placed on lockdown after the shootings as police, university officers and Forsyth County sheriff’s deputies responded. By early Sunday, officials said the lockdown had been lifted and students were being allowed to return to their residence halls. Police said the campus was secure and there was no active threat.
Winston-Salem State Chancellor Bonita J. Brown said the shootings had shaken the university community. She expressed condolences to the family and loved ones of the person who died and concern for those who were injured. Brown said additional law enforcement personnel would remain on campus while authorities continued investigating both incidents.
The university canceled its remaining homecoming activities Sunday, including a planned Fourth Quarter event and its participation in WSSU Day at Emmanuel Baptist Church. The church instead planned a prayer gathering in support of the university community. Counseling services were also made available to students, faculty and staff affected by the shootings.
Authorities had not announced any arrests as of Sunday morning. Police also had not released details about where on campus each shooting occurred, what led to the gunfire or whether the people involved were students or visitors. Investigators from the Winston-Salem Police Department, Winston-Salem State University Police and Public Safety and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office were working on the cases.
Police said additional officers would remain on and around the campus in the coming days as investigators seek witnesses and evidence. The circumstances of both shootings, including whether they were related, remained under investigation Sunday.