Insets, from left: Matthew B. Croslin (Norfolk City Jail) and Semaj R. Coleman (Norfolk State University). Background: Waffle House in Norfolk, Virginia, where Croslin shot Coleman to death, cops say (WTKR).
A Virginia man is accused of shooting a college senior to death while showing her a gun in the parking lot of a Waffle House.
Matthew B. Croslin, 23, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless handling of a firearm in the death of 22-year-old Semaj Coleman, a student at Norfolk State University.
Coleman arrived at a hospital with a life-threatening gunshot wound around 11:45 p.m. Saturday, government officials said in a statement. She later died.
Cops say the shooting occurred at a Waffle House in the 5700 block of East Virginia Beach Boulevard. According to a criminal complaint obtained by local ABC affiliate WVEC, Croslin and Coleman were among a group of friends at the restaurant.
The two were talking about guns when Croslin allegedly pulled one out. He was showing it to her when it went off, striking her in the chest, the complaint reportedly said.
Investigators concluded there was no argument or fight preceding the shooting.
"The preliminary investigation has determined the shooting to be accidental and to have taken place at a parking lot," government officials said.
Coleman was majoring in health services management at NSU, the school said in a social media post.
"She was affiliated with Norfolk State University's Spartans Promise to Persist with Purpose (SP3) program and was recently inducted into the National Association for Allied Health Professions," the school said. "Her academic journey, involvement in the university community, and recent professional recognition reflect important milestones in her life as a Spartan. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Semaj's family, friends, classmates, faculty, and all those who knew and loved her. The loss of a member of our Spartan family is deeply felt, and we recognize that this news may bring shock, grief, and many difficult emotions."
Croslin is in the Norfolk City Jail without bond. His next court date is set for Nov. 2.