A Winston-Salem State University student was shot and killed early Saturday morning after a fight broke out at an on-campus party at Wake Forest University.
Winston-Salem police officers received a call for assistance at approximately 1:01 a.m. following an altercation at an event where a gun was fired, reports Journal Now.
When police arrived, 21-year-old Najee Ali Baker was suffering from a gunshot wound. Baker received immediate medical attention but later died at a local hospital.
Baker was a walk-on defensive lineman for the WSSU football team and redshirted this past season. He transferred to the school in March 2017 from Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts.
“I was shocked when I got the call and as a coach you never want to get this kind of call,” said WSSU football coach Kienus Boulware. “I spoke with Najee’s father, and it’s a tough call to make to let him know that his son won’t be coming home.”
Winston-Salem police’s Criminal Investigations Division is leading an investigation into the deadly shooting with help from the Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University police. Both universities are located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Police say it was an isolated incident and do not believe the gunman remained on campus following the shooting. No one has been arrested in the shooting.
Students from both schools were attending a party at The Barn, an event center located on the Wake Forest campus that can be used for free by university-recognized student groups.
The party was hosted by the Pi Omicron chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and was advertised as a “kickoff to the new semester”. A valid student ID was required to attend.
Katie Neal, the executive director of news and communication at Wake Forest, says security arrangements for the event could not be discussed as they are part of the ongoing investigation.
“We are continually evaluating our emergency response procedures and will do so following this incident,” she said.
WFU President Nathan Hatch says police are increasing security and patrols on campus and in the surrounding area. Both schools have made extra counseling available to their students.
A vigil for Baker will be held at WSSU’s Clock Tower on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to Fox 8.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800.
