CMPD: 4 arrested after JCSU student shot on campus

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A student at Johnson C. Smith University was shot Sunday morning, school officials said.

The school said a male student was sitting in a car on campus when the shooter opened fire.

The student was hit once, but school officials said he wasn't the target.
   
Medic said earlier that the victim was in critical condition, but now the school said the student did not suffer a life-threatening injury.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said a JCSU police officer heard shots being fired and observed a suspect get into a burgundy vehicle that was occupied by several people. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspects refused. CMPD officers who were responding to the call noticed the vehicle leaving campus at a high rate of speed and assisted the JCSU officer.

After a brief pursuit, the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Beatties Ford Road and Russell Avenue. Several individuals were detained from inside the vehicle, police said.

Three guns and some marijuana were located inside the vehicle and seized as evidence. The individuals were transported to police headquarters, where they were interviewed by detectives.

Everett Phifer, 21, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, shooting into an occupied vehicle, possession of a firearm on school grounds and discharging a firearm on school grounds.

Elijah Craig, 21, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Juan Leon, 19, was charged with discharging a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm on school grounds.

Shalique Edmond, 21, was charged with possession of marijuana, and failure to heed blue lights and siren.

None of the people arrested are students at the school, police said.

Police said the suspects were on campus in an attempt to attend a party, but were denied since they were not students.

Officials put a curfew into effect at the school, which lasted until 7 a.m.

The university's president, Dr. Ronald L. Carter, spoke at a press conference just after 7 a.m.

Carter thanked the quick response from the campus police and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

He also said counselors will be available Sunday and throughout the week.

The university released the following statement:

"The normally quiet campus of Johnson C. Smith University was affected by a shooting that occurred on campus at approximately 2:15 a.m. on April 19, 2015.  A student sitting in a car on campus was struck by a round when a suspect began firing a weapon. The student, who was not targeted, was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. JCSU Campus Police, in conjunction with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), restored order to the campus immediately. Several persons of interest, who are not JCSU students, were detained and are being questioned by CMPD for possible charges. A curfew remains in effect until 7 a.m. JCSU President Ronald L. Carter will hold a press conference at 7 a.m. in Biddle Hall to address the incident."

WSOC