# Arrest Made in Deadly Shooting During Winston-Salem State Homecoming

Authorities investigate two separate campus shootings that occurred during university homecoming weekend festivities.

- **Source:** [ABC News – Top Stories](https://abcnews.go.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-08
- **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world)
- **Original article:** <https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/police-2-shootings-winston-salem-state-homecoming-weekend-137952526>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cc5c260b-a5be-49ec-abce-3034380af86b

## Fatal Homecoming Shooting

A 19-year-old man was killed and a 22-year-old woman injured during a shooting at Winston-Salem State University on Saturday night. Officers patrolling the homecoming events heard gunfire at 9:45 p.m. and discovered the victims immediately. The female victim received hospital treatment and was subsequently released following the violent incident.

## Suspect Taken Into Custody

Police arrested 20-year-old Ziyaire Spinks in connection with the fatal shooting. He is currently held without bond on charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm on educational property. Authorities confirmed that Spinks is not a student at the university, despite the incident occurring on campus.

## Second Shooting Incident

Less than an hour after the first event, a second shooting occurred on the campus grounds. Police responded to reports of gunfire and found two additional people injured following an altercation. Authorities are currently investigating whether the two separate shootings are connected, though no arrests have been made for this second case.

## Investigation and Accountability

Chief William Penn, Jr. stated that the department is committed to identifying all individuals responsible for the violence. He urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation remains ongoing. Officials emphasized that blame must be directed solely at those who committed the acts, rather than the broader university community or students.

## University Response Measures

Chancellor Bonita J. Brown officially canceled all remaining homecoming activities scheduled for Sunday. The university is providing counseling services to students, faculty, and families affected by the trauma. Brown assured the community that the campus remains secure, with additional law enforcement presence maintained to ensure safety during the ongoing police investigation.

## Community and Official Reaction

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, Jr. joined university leadership in calling for community unity and prayer. Local church leaders have organized gatherings to support those shaken by the violence. Social media platforms have been flooded with condolences as the community processes the tragic events that disrupted the traditional celebratory weekend festivities.

## Campus Safety Protocols

The university administration acknowledged the significant anxiety created by these events among students and parents. Chancellor Brown reiterated that the institution takes its responsibility for campus safety seriously. While the investigation continues, the school is working closely with local law enforcement to maintain order and provide necessary support for the campus.

## Context of Campus Violence

Large-scale university events like homecoming weekends often present unique security challenges due to high visitor volume. Law enforcement agencies typically increase patrols during these periods to mitigate risks. The current investigation into these specific shootings highlights the ongoing difficulty of managing public safety when non-students enter campus grounds during major celebrations.

## Sources covering this story

- https://abcnews.com/US/wireStory/police-2-shootings-winston-salem-state-homecoming-weekend-137952526 — 

---

_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
