One individual lost their life, and six others were injured in a shooting on the campus of Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina early Sunday morning. The incident took place around 12:30 a.m. on April 27, 2025, after a Yard Fest event, part of the university’s Viking Fest celebration.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) identified the deceased as Isaiah Caldwell, a 24-year-old from Albany, New York. Caldwell, who was not an ECSU student, was affiliated with the Groove Phi Groove social fellowship and was visiting the campus during the event.
A statement from the university confirmed that four victims suffered gunshot wounds, with three being university students. Two additional students were injured amid the ensuing chaos. The university indicated that none of the injuries were life-threatening, and all injured parties were transported to a local hospital.
Sara Hill, an ECSU volleyball team member, was among the injured. Hill described the frightening moments when the shooting began, stating she was near the shooter as gunfire erupted. She was shot in the hip but only realized it after fleeing the scene. Two ECSU football players were also among the injured.
ECSU student Mark Hurlbut recalled hearing gunshots from his dormitory. “I heard the gunshots through my window and through the walls,” Hurlbut said. “Campus honestly didn’t send out any alerts of any kind until maybe 20-30 minutes after it happened. I didn’t think nothing of it, but then it finally clicked. This happened right outside my door.”
Another student, Zion Upchurch, spoke to local media, expressing emotional distress over the event. He had vacated the area shortly before the shooting but heard the gunfire from his dorm.
Following the shooting, the university initiated a campus lockdown and a shelter-in-place order for all students. The lockdown was lifted later that day after law enforcement determined the campus was no longer under threat.
In the aftermath, ECSU canceled classes through Tuesday, April 29, transitioning to remote learning for the remainder of the semester, concluding Friday. Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds conveyed sympathies to those affected and highlighted the resilience of the ECSU community.
Counseling services have been made available for students, faculty, and staff impacted by the shooting. On-campus counseling started Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center, with additional on-call and after-hours support.
Security measures have been heightened across the campus, with increased patrols and restricted access to central campus areas.
Several law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation, including the ECSU Police, Elizabeth City Police, Pasquotank County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Reports indicate that investigators have identified persons of interest who are not ECSU students, but no arrests had been made as of April 29.
The SBI is reviewing social media videos from the event and has solicited public assistance for any information, videos, or photographs that could aid the investigation. Students and parents have voiced concerns over the limited information released by the university and law enforcement.
The ECSU shooting occurs amidst ongoing discussions about gun safety in North Carolina. Advocacy groups note a rise in mass shootings and gun-related deaths since the repeal of the permit-to-purchase law in 2023.
Individuals with information about the shooting are encouraged by university officials to contact the ECSU Police at 252-335-3266. The investigation remains active as authorities work to uncover the circumstances of the shooting and identify those responsible.