A shooting during Winston-Salem State University’s homecoming weekend killed 19-year-old Peyton Izaia Patterson and wounded a 22-year-old woman on Saturday night, November 7, on the WSSU campus in North Carolina. Winston-Salem police have charged 20-year-old Ziyaire Antonyo Spinks with murder, and 18-year-old Cequon Brower with affray. Police say neither man is a WSSU student. A second, separate shooting less than an hour later wounded two more people, and no arrests have been announced in that case.
The WSSU homecoming shooting turned a weekend meant for celebration into one of mourning. Saturday had been game day at the historically Black university, with the Rams facing the Fayetteville State Broncos earlier in the day.
What Happened in the First Shooting
At about 9:46 p.m. Saturday, officers who were already in the 600 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive heard gunshots and rushed to the scene. They found Peyton Izaia Patterson, 19, with a gunshot wound and began lifesaving measures, which continued after EMS arrived. Patterson died from his injuries, and his next of kin has been notified.
Officers also found a second victim, 22-year-old Alyssa Janae Ellerbee, who had been shot. She was taken to a hospital, treated and released. Police have not said whether she is a WSSU student.
According to Jason Swaim, assistant chief of the Winston-Salem police Field Services Bureau, the shooting stemmed from an altercation between two groups. Detectives have determined it was an isolated incident, but have not said what triggered the argument, whether those involved knew one another, or what role each person played.
Two Men Charged
Police charged Ziyaire Antonyo Spinks, 20, with murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, and felony possession of a firearm on educational property. He is being held without bond.
Cequon Warren Brower, 18, was charged with affray in connection with the fighting and is being held on a $50,000 bond. Both men were expected to appear in court on Monday. Police have not released their photos while the investigation continues.
“The arrestee that’s been charged with murder, Mr. Spinks, he was not a student of Winston-Salem State University, and neither was Cequon Brower,” Swaim told reporters Sunday.
Court records show Spinks has two earlier cases pending in North Carolina. They include a Randolph County case involving charges of carrying a concealed weapon and marijuana possession from an arrest in March, and an October indictment in Guilford County on charges of felony conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery with a dangerous weapon, for an incident alleged to have occurred last year. A lawyer for Spinks in the Randolph County matter told NBC News he was unaware of the new charges. All charges are accusations, and both men are presumed innocent unless convicted in court.
A Second Shooting on Campus
At 10:22 p.m., less than an hour after the first shooting, police heard more gunfire while investigating the earlier incident. They found 21-year-old Najir Pearsall, who was taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition, and 20-year-old Makyiah Ward, who was listed in stable condition. Police said a vehicle linked to the second shooting was identified and later stopped by West Side officers, but no arrests had been made in that case as of Sunday afternoon.
Police said the second shooting is not connected to the homicide. They have not said whether Pearsall or Ward are WSSU students.
The University Responds
University Police Chief Amir Henry said the campus was secured. “Tragically, this year, this celebration has been overshadowed by the loss of life and the injuries resulting from two separate shootings on our campus,” he said.
Chancellor Bonita J. Brown called the shootings “senseless violence” and canceled the remaining homecoming activities scheduled for Sunday, including an event at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She offered condolences to the victim’s family and said she was praying for those injured. She acknowledged that members of the campus community “may have witnessed or experienced things that no one should have to endure,” and urged people to use the university’s counseling services and follow police instructions.
“Throughout our history, Winston-Salem State University has faced challenges, but we have always found strength in one another,” Brown wrote. “That is what it means to be part of the Ramily and to be Ram strong.”
Additional law enforcement will remain on campus while the investigation continues.
What Comes Next
The Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate both shootings. Spinks and Brower were due in court Monday. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
