Police Investigate Shooting Near Bias Hall at Elizabeth City State University During Viking Fest; Shelter-in-Place Issued as Authorities Search for Suspects
Elizabeth City, NC — A shooting incident that occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday night has left the Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) community on edge as local authorities work to piece together what happened. The shooting took place near Bias Hall on the ECSU campus during the final day of the school’s annual Viking Fest, an event that draws hundreds of students, alumni, and local residents to campus for celebrations and community activities.
The Elizabeth City Police Department (ECPD) quickly responded to the scene after receiving reports of shots fired in the area. At approximately 12:45 a.m. Sunday, the ECPD issued an urgent shelter-in-place alert, urging individuals to stay inside as they launched an investigation into the incident. “There has been a report of shots fired on campus in the area of Bias Hall. Shelter in place as Elizabeth City Police Department and campus police investigate the situation,” the text alert read.
Chaos Erupts During Viking Fest
Hundreds of students, alumni, and community members had gathered on campus for the final day of Viking Fest, which included a variety of events, including the Blue and White Vikings spring football game. The festival, which celebrates ECSU’s school spirit, quickly turned from an atmosphere of joy and excitement to one of fear and uncertainty after the shooting.
Although there have been no reports of injuries, the shooting created chaos, with attendees fleeing or taking shelter as police arrived to secure the area. Many of those at the festival took to social media to share their fear and confusion. “It all happened so quickly. One minute we were cheering for the football game, and the next we were running to safety. I’m just glad everyone seems to be okay,” said Tiffany Jones, an ECSU senior who was at the event.
Limited Information Released
As of 3:30 a.m. Sunday, no further details had been released by the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, or ECSU’s official communications channels. Neither the identity of any victims nor the number of people involved in the incident has been disclosed, leaving the community anxious for answers. Social media pages for both the police department and the university remained silent, further fueling concerns about the lack of information.
Local law enforcement has not yet confirmed whether the shooting was a targeted attack, an altercation that escalated, or some other circumstance. Officials have, however, assured the public that the investigation is ongoing.
Community Reactions
The shooting has left many in the ECSU community shaken, particularly given that Viking Fest is an event meant to bring together students, alumni, and their families. The university has not yet issued a statement, but many students and alumni are calling for greater transparency and communication from school officials and local law enforcement.
“I think we all feel a little vulnerable right now,” said Marcus Harris, a graduate of ECSU who returned to campus for the event. “This is supposed to be a celebration, but now we’re all left wondering what happened and who’s responsible.”
Community leaders have expressed concern over the rising violence affecting college campuses across the country and are urging ECSU to take immediate steps to improve campus safety and emergency communication.
Ongoing Investigation
The Elizabeth City Police Department and campus police are currently working together to investigate the incident, but as of the latest updates, no suspects have been publicly identified or arrested. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward.
Local residents and students are anxiously awaiting more updates from the ECPD, which has promised to release more details as the investigation unfolds. Meanwhile, the campus has been quiet, with students and faculty remaining on edge as law enforcement continues their efforts to secure the area and provide answers.
Call for Information
Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or seen anything suspicious before or after the incident to contact the Elizabeth City Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips through local crime hotlines or the Greater Elizabeth City Crime Stoppers program.
This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by following local news outlets and the official communications channels of the Elizabeth City Police Department and ECSU.