Suspect arrested after fatal shooting at Winston-Salem State homecoming

Winston-Salem police arrested Ziyaire Spinks, 20, on Sunday in connection with a Saturday night shooting at Winston-Salem State University that killed a 19-year-old man. Spinks faces charges of murder and possession of a firearm on educational property. He is being held without bond. He is not a student at the university.

Assistant Police Chief Jason Swaim said officers arrived at the first scene around 9:45 p.m. Saturday after hearing gunshots. They found a 19-year-old man with a gunshot wound. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. A 22-year-old woman also at the scene received a gunshot wound. She was transported to a hospital, treated, and released.

While officers investigated the first homicide, they heard additional gunshots around 10:22 p.m. Saturday. The sound came from the intersection of Victory Circle and Cromartie Street. Officers located two victims there: Najir Pearsall, 21, and Makyiah Ward, 20. Both had gunshot wounds. Police stopped a vehicle connected to that second incident. No arrests have been made in that case yet.

Detectives determined the Saturday shootings were an isolated incident. Swaim noted that the circumstances surrounding the events remain under investigation.

University Chancellor Bonita J. Brown described the shootings as senseless violence in a statement released Sunday morning. She confirmed the campus was secure and stated that additional law enforcement would remain on site during the investigation. The university canceled the rest of its homecoming activities for the weekend.

Local church leaders planned to lead a call for prayers in support of the community following the cancellations. The school is offering counseling to anyone in need.

Brown said, “We also recognize the concern and anxiety these events have created among our students, parents, families and broader community. We take our responsibility for campus safety seriously and remain committed to the well-being of everyone who is part of our university community.”