WSSU students in custody following shooting on campus
By Tevin Stinson
The Chronicle
Two students who attended Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) have been charged in connection to a shooting on campus last week.
Here is what we know: Just after 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 11, the Winston-Salem Police Department came to a residence hall on the campus of WSSU after reports of a shooting.
At the scene, officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound in a study room inside the dorm. The victim is not currently a student at WSSU. Investigators say the shooting happened after a fight.
WSPD’s Gang Unit, Gun Crime Reduction Unit, and Violent Firearms Investigation Team conducted search warrants on the residence hall over the weekend, leading to the seizure of nine pounds of marijuana, a gun, THC edibles, cash, and drug paraphernalia.
Following the investigation, a warrant was issued for 19-year-old Ja’lon Stallings. Stallings, who is a student at WSSU, turned himself in on Monday, April 14.
He is being charged with felony attempted first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, felony robbery with a dangerous weapon, felony discharge a firearm on educational property, felony discharge a firearm from within an enclosure to incite fear, misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Stalling is being held in the Forsyth County jail without bond.
On Wednesday afternoon 20-year-old Joyous Gardner, who is also a student at WSSU, turned herself in. Gardner has been charged with felony possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, felony maintaining a dwelling for use, keeping or selling of a controlled substance, felony possession of a schedule VI-controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Gardner was given a $5,000 unsecured bond.
This marks the second shooting incident on the campus WSSU since February.
On Feb. 12 a male student was accidentally shot inside Covington Residence Hall. The investigation led the Winston-Salem Police Department to arrest Damarion Hall after officers discovered a weapon in a vehicle. Hall has been charged with possession of a weapon on educational property. No charges have been filed in connection to the shooting.
