CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) – A 19-year-old college student was shot and killed at an apartment complex near Virginia State University Sunday night.
Daniel Wharton was studying computer engineering and lived on campus, according to students who know him. Now police are working to find his killer.
“I didn’t know about the situation until I actually pulled back into my apartment,” said student Calvin Lewis. He lives at the University Apartments at Ettrick.
That’s where someone opened fire on Wharton Sunday. He was rushed to the hospital but couldn’t survive his injuries.
“It’s pretty surprising to hear that news…I feel safe. It wouldn’t seem like a situation like that would happen in there. It’s a gated community, so I wouldn’t think of it,” Lewis said.
The complex is not owned by VSU, but students from the university live here. It’s about half a mile from campus.
NBC12′s sister station caught up with one of the victim’s former athletic coaches.
“Quiet, unassuming kid, but he did work hard. He was very knowledgeable, gave great effort when we had him on the field. Polite kid,” Liam Yao said.
The university says it is preparing grief coaches for students who are struggling to understand how this could happen.
“I just hope they can get to the bottom of it…VSU is not like that at all,” Lewis added.
“We are devastated and deeply saddened by the news of our fallen Trojan,” said VSU President, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “It is most difficult and painful to have such a young life cut short as a result of gun violence. This is a tragedy in every sense of the word. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family, friends, and our entire Trojan community.”
Students in need of counseling are asked to call VSU’s Counseling Center at 804-524-5939 during business hours or 804-524-5411 after hours.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.
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