Police say a 20-year-old is in jail without bond after a campus shooting left a 19-year-old dead and a 22-year-old wounded during Winston-Salem State University’s homecoming weekend.
Story Snapshot
- Police arrested and charged Ziyaire Antonyo Spinks with murder and other felonies.
- Officers found 19-year-old Peyton Izaia Patterson shot on campus; he died despite aid.
- Investigators identified 22-year-old Alyssa Janae Ellerbee as injured in the same incident.
- Police called the shooting an isolated incident after early investigative work.
Arrest Anchored in Named Charges and a Specific Scene
Winston-Salem police said they arrested 20-year-old Ziyaire Antonyo Spinks in the killing of 19-year-old Peyton Izaia Patterson and the wounding of 22-year-old Alyssa Janae Ellerbee on the Winston-Salem State University campus. Officers responded around 9:46 p.m. to the 600 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, where they found Patterson with a gunshot wound. Emergency aid did not save him. Detectives said the case is an isolated incident and charged Spinks with murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, and felony gun possession on educational property.
Assistant Chief Jason Swaim said the investigation led officers to Spinks, who was booked and held without bond. Police did not present the arrest as an on-scene detention. They described steps that moved from the scene response to suspect identification and then to the arrest. A separate man, 18-year-old Cequan Warren Brower, was charged with affray, a different and lesser offense, and received a $50,000 bond. Police have not said Brower’s role in the events or whether he witnessed the shooting.
Victims Identified and the Setting Clarified
Police and local reporting identified Patterson as the young man who died after the campus shooting and named Ellerbee as the woman who survived with injuries. The scene sits within a busy homecoming weekend that drew crowds to Winston-Salem State University. Police emphasized that the campus shooting is being treated as a single, contained event even as they worked other gun incidents reported nearby that same weekend. Early coverage flagged that officials had not linked the separate shootings at the time.
Detectives asked for continued tips as they built the case. Reporters noted that some details were still under review, which is normal for the first few days after a homicide arrest. The listed charges against Spinks are serious and specific, and they tie directly to the death, the injury to Ellerbee, and the location on school grounds. As in any criminal case, a charge is an accusation and not proof of guilt. A court will weigh the evidence as the case moves forward.
What “Isolated Incident” Signals to Families and Students
Police used the phrase “isolated incident” to calm fears of an active, random threat as classes and events resumed. That phrasing often means the people involved likely knew each other or had a direct conflict that did not target the public at large. Many campus shootings across the country match this pattern. National data show that more than half of shootings on college grounds are homicides or assaults tied to disputes, not planned mass attacks. That context fits what police signaled in this case.
Homecoming weekends can draw visitors and bring in community tensions that do not start in a classroom. A review of campus gunfire trends over the past decade found steady growth in incidents and a heavy share of cases where those involved were not tied to the school. That broader pattern helps explain why police separated this campus shooting from other reported gunfire nearby. One arrest in one event does not answer for all shots fired over a weekend of crowded gatherings.
Police make arrest in a deadly shooting at Winston-Salem State during homecoming weekend (Link in bio) pic.twitter.com/bswGXmcFRn
— Fox 18 KLJB (@YourFox18) November 9, 2026
Leaders face two parallel jobs after a campus homicide. First, support the families with truth and care. Second, tighten the basics: access control at large events, clear rules for guests, visible patrols, and fast communication. Common-sense steps like better lighting, camera coverage at crowd choke points, and strong partnerships with city police reduce chances for fights to turn deadly. That is not politics; it is practical safety that respects rights and protects community life.
Why Precision Matters as the Case Advances
Spelling differences in early reports can confuse record searches and social posts. The suspect’s first and middle names appeared with minor variations across outlets. That happens in breaking news, but it matters in court filings and public records. Readers should focus on official police releases and court dockets to avoid mixing names, charges, or events from separate scenes. Precision protects due process and keeps the public conversation anchored to facts, not rumors.
Sources:
wnct.com, wxii12.com, wfdd.org, whio.com, cbs17.com, link.springer.com, kff.org
