WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The University of North Carolina School of the Arts cancels classes after student is injured in off-campus shooting Tuesday night, according to a university alert.
A woman and teen were shot in the chest in Winston-Salem Tuesday night, according to police.
Design & Production student, Megan DeVolder, 20, was shot in the chest Tuesday night in an off-campus shooting. She was taken to the hospital for treatment and is in stable condition.
No threats were made to the campus.
UNC School of the Arts released this statement Wednesday:
The university is prioritizing student, faculty and staff well-being in the wake of this incident, and in acknowledgment of this, some classes and activities were canceled today. UNCSA also conducted sessions throughout the day for the campus to come together, share information, and answer any questions. Counseling resources are being made available for students, faculty and staff
The Chancellor also released a statement for students that said:
I am reaching out today to address the senseless act of violence that occurred last evening near our campus involving a student in the School of Design & Production. First, I want to assure you that this was an isolated incident and there is no current threat to our campus. Authorities acted swiftly last night to ensure the injured student received medical attention and was transported to a hospital. We are all grateful that the student's injuries are not life-threatening and that the student is in stable condition. I know you will join me in sending our best wishes for a full recovery and support to the student's family and friends during this difficult time. The Winston-Salem Police Department is currently conducting an investigation and we will follow their lead on sharing more information as it becomes available. It is frightening and unsettling when random acts of violence occur, especially so close to home. We are a small, tight-knit community and many of you may know the student involved. I know it's a shock to learn about such a terrible incident. It can make us all feel less safe in our daily lives. When something like this happens, we must prioritize our well-being and the strength of our community over normal day-to-day activities. In acknowledgment of this, our deans adjusted today's class schedule. We have added sessions throughout the day to come together, share information, and answer any questions.
The Chancellor said that UNCSA Police & Public Safety will continue to do everything possible to keep the campus safe. They are available and patrol the campus 24/7. If students should ever feel unsafe or need assistance, they should dial 55 from a landline or 336-770-3362 or students can download the UNCSA Safety App, where they can immediately chat with Dispatch and reach other campus resources.
The Winston-Salem Police Department received a call about a shooting on Vargrave Street and US-52 around 10:18 p.m.
Investigators also learned that someone drove a 13-year-old victim to a hospital to be treated for a serious but non-life-threatening injury after they were shot in the chest.
After an investigation, detectives said an unknown vehicle’s driving mannerisms caused the vehicle DeVolder was driving, and the vehicle the teen was riding in to crash on Vargrave Street, under the US-52 bridge.
After the crash, investigators said an occupant of the unknown vehicle started shooting at DeVolder and the 13-year-old.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800, or En Espanol 336-728-3904.