NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk Police are continuing to search for whoever is responsible for the mass shooting where two people were killed and five others were sent to the hospital early Sunday morning.
Norfolk State University said Angelia McKnight, 19, was a second-year student, pre-nursing major.
Kendall Elrod, a junior at NSU, is the same major. The deadly shooting has left her feeling uneasy.
“It just makes me upset that we can’t go outside; I can’t feel safe outside of campus,” said Elrod. “She went to a party. She wasn’t expecting to lose her life and nobody was. It’s very unfortunate.”
NSU’s Assistant Vice President Stevalynn Adams said the New York native was very active on campus and a member of the school’s 2Xclusive Hip Hop Dance Team.
NSU Sophomore Jayda Titus didn’t know McKnight personally but knew of and said she was a hard worker.
“They put in a lot of hard work and have a lot of pressure on them,” Titus said. “It takes a lot of time, dedication, a lot of auditioning…it is very competitive. So, she had to be a hard worker.”
Norfolk Police say McKnight and Zabre Miller, 25, were shot and killed at an off-campus house party on Killam Avenue near 50th Street. Five others were injured from the gunfire.
The shooting happened a couple blocks away from Old Dominion University.
Investigators say it all stemmed from a fight that broke out at the party.
NSU Junior Yosiah Moss said his friend left the party moments before the gunshots were fired early Sunday morning.
“When I heard about it, I automatically texted and tried to call to make sure he was okay,” he said.
News 3 is still working to find out more information about Zabre Miller, the other person killed in the shooting.
As the community begins to heal, fellow Spartan Sterling Bailey Jr., is pushing for change. The NSU freshman says now is the time to take action.
“It’s time we start really trying to fight and have some of the groups and clubs, organizations, talk about gun violence and self-control and partying and what areas not to go to,” Bailey Jr. said.
NSU students said the mood on campus is somber as they mourn a fallen spartan.
“It’s unfortunate either way. Both of them should still be here,” said junior Kendall Elrod. “They should have felt safe and they should have came back in one piece.”
Counseling and support services are available on NSU’s campus for students.
Norfolk State has planned a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Wednesday in honor of Angelia. The university released the following statement:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I inform the campus community that Angelia Aracelis McKnight has passed away as a result of her injuries. Angelia was a second-year student, Pre-Nursing major, and native of New York. Our prayers and condolences are with Angelia's family and all those impacted by this tragic event.
Angelia's life was important and every Spartan is a key member of our campus. With our strength, we will continue to work together. Our culture of care embraces pulling together as a Spartan family during these challenging times.
Counseling and supportive services are available. Contact the Counseling Center for scheduled appointments at 757-823-8173 and after hours at 757-823-9000, for immediate assistance. We must use this time to pull together and be a support for one another.
Norfolk State University Police are cooperating with the Norfolk Police Department to investigate this off-campus incident thoroughly. We support the police and the City of Norfolk in their attempts to bring an end to gun violence.
