Morgan State University mass shooting: 5 shot on campus, search for suspect ongoing

[The Bobster]

Morgan State University mass shooting: 5 shot on campus, search for suspect ongoing

Police say four of the five victims are students and none of the victims appear to have life-threatening wounds.

www.cbsnews.com

Morgan State University mass shooting: 5 shot on campus, search for suspect ongoing​

By Kelsey Kushner, Rohan Mattu, Amy Kawata, Maggie Ybarra, Cristina Mendez

Updated on: October 4, 2023 / 10:14 AM / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- Five people, four of them students, were shot Tuesday night on the campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore City, officials said.
The search for a suspect or suspects is ongoing, and classes at the school are canceled Wednesday.
Officers responded to the 1700 block of Argonne Drive -- the area of the Marshall Apartment Complex dorms -- after Morgan State University Police on patrol heard gunfire around 9:25 p.m., according to authorities.
Four men and a woman between the ages of 18 and 22 were shot, and all were hospitalized with non-life-threatening wounds, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said in an early-morning press conference.
Four of the victims were students at Morgan State University, according to Morgan State University Police Chief Lance Hatcher.

Investigators believe the shooting happened outside, but a seventh-floor window of the dorm building appears to have been shattered in the incident. There is no word yet on a motive in the shooting.

Here’s a look at the scene this morning.
At least one window on the 7th floor appears to be shattered- this is Thurgood Marshall Hall.

This remains an active investigation. Police are still on scene, crime scene tape is up around the perimeter.

We’re live starting at 4:30 @wjz pic.twitter.com/JyCUtNvmHG
— Amy Kawata TV (@AmyKawata) October 4, 2023

Following the reports of gunfire, officers asked everyone to shelter in place and avoid the area. WJZ obtained video of police checking the dorm rooms.
https://x.com/AmyKawata/status/1709512808704999634?s=20
Worley noted that during the shooting, gunfire damaged multiple windows on the premises of the campus. That led officers to believe there was an active shooter, so they responded accordingly, cordoning off the area, he said.

About 75 minutes after officers responded to the report of gunfire at the university, police announced on X, the social media site formally known as Twitter, that the incident was no longer considered an active shooting.
Watch: Witness describes a homecoming week shooting at Morgan State University

A worrisome homecoming trend​

The shooting happened shortly after the crowning of Mr. and Ms. Morgan State University, a kickoff to homecoming week events at the school.
"This was such a senseless act of violence perpetrated on our community after what was a family-filled and fun evening of celebrating the pageantry and beauty of our students," university president Dr. David Wilson said in a statement. "But Morgan is a strong family and we will march on with determination to keep moving on. "
Homecoming week activities scheduled for this week will be reevaluated as part of an emergency meeting Wednesday morning with school officials, Wilson said.
The shooting marks the third year in a row of a shooting during the university's homecoming week.
In 2022, a 20-year-old man was shot at Morgan State University during an unsanctioned homecoming party. That person was not a university student.

In 2021, an 18-year-old Morgan State University student was shot on campus following the university's homecoming activities.
Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos told WJZ she was horrified for the campus and the students when she heard of the shooting.
"It's been a sad, sad evening, especially since Morgan has homecoming coming up, and that is usually a big celebration of how wonderful campus is and still is," she said.
Ramos said she was relieved to find out that the gunshot victims would be able to recover from their injuries.
"I'm here to show my support to the students," she said.
Watch: Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos talks about the shooting at MSU

Leaders, parents and students express concern​

In a statement to WJZ, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said, "My office is aware of the shooting incident on the Morgan State University campus. My team and I are in close contact with officials on the ground and are monitoring the situation. We are grateful for the heroic efforts of the first responders who rushed to the scene and are actively working to ensure safety."

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott made a powerful call for national gun reform during the news conference, saying guns shouldn't be "in the hands of people who should not have them" and comparing the situation to the moves to require seatbelts in vehicles and warn the public about the health dangers posed by cigarettes.
"We have to deal with this issue nationally," he said. "We have to get serious about guns."
Following the reports of gunfire, Baltimore Police and Morgan State University officials began urging family members of students to avoid the campus area. Instead, they could convene at the Safeway parking lot, which is at 4401 Harford Road.
Family and friends told WJZ that they were worried about their loved ones after learning about the shooting.
Jose Verdejo said his daughter is a freshman at Morgan. He drove two hours from New Jersey to the campus when a family friend told her about the shooting.
"I called my daughter, she told me she was locked in a library but she didn't know what was going on," he said. "So I had I did let her know there was a shooting, I told her to stay away from windows, and then that made them nervous."
Verdejo said he doesn't know how the school can make him feel comfortable leaving his daughter there. Especially after consecutive homecoming week shootings, he feels those in charge of keeping her safe were "sleeping."

I'm not going to leave my daughter behind until I feel comfortable. So I'm not leaving till I speak to someone and I can get assurances that you know, I can leave my daughter in their care," he said. "And so far, I don't feel assured at all."
Watch: Parent of MSU freshman speaks out after five shot on campus


A man by the name of Antonio told WJZ's Cristina Mendez that his brother was locked down in one of the bathrooms.
"Right now, my brother just texted my mom saying that they're just locked down in the stadium's bathrooms right now just waiting for when they can leave out," Antonio said.
Tony Jones, a staff writer at The Athletic, said on social media that his daughter was at Morgan State University during the shooting and that it happened at her dorm. Police believe the shooting happened outdoors.

My daughter is ok. But active shooter, not only at her school, but at her dorm. Praying for Morgan State University tonight. I urge you to say a prayer as well, if you believe.

Go Bears
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) October 4, 2023

"Praying for Morgan State University tonight," he said on his social media site. "I urge you to say a prayer as well, if you believe."

Multiple agencies investigating​

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are assisting Baltimore Police Department in the investigation.

ATF Special Agents and K9 remain on scene at Morgan State University to assist our @BaltimorePolice partners with searching the crime scene for shell casings and additional evidence.

Continue following @BaltimorePolice for updates. https://t.co/pw7aAlt5ai pic.twitter.com/aOMDIAbmsq
— ATF Baltimore (@ATFBaltimore) October 4, 2023

Anyone with information is urged to contact Baltimore police at 410-396-2444. Those who wish to remain anonymous may utilize the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

BPD seeking people seen on video in Morgan shooting case

Investigators are seeking the public's help to identify people seen on video in connection with Tuesday night's shooting at Morgan State University.

www.wbaltv.com

BPD: Video shows persons of interest in Morgan State University shooting​

Morgan State University cancels some homecoming events, postpones others​

Updated: 12:47 AM EDT Oct 5, 2023

BALTIMORE —
Investigators are seeking the public's help to identify people seen on video in connection with Tuesday night's shooting at Morgan State University.



The search for suspects -- at least two and possibly more -- continued, as city detectives and university police officers were on campus searching for video and witnesses.

Baltimore police released video late Wednesday night showing several people walking in a grassy area.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 410-396-2444 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP.

Investigators probe whether multiple guns were involved​

Earlier Wednesday, authorities revealed that investigators are looking into whether multiple guns were fired.


"We know that there was more than one person with a weapon. The problem is, the ballistics has to tell us how many guns were shot," Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said Wednesday morning as city leaders provided updates after the Board of Estimates meeting.

Police said all the shots were fired outdoors by at least one shooter who missed the intended target and instead hit five bystanders, four of them Morgan students. Four men and a woman, ages 18-22, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting. One of five victims has since been released from the hospital, Worley said.

Raw video below: Wednesday morning news conference (10:30 a.m.)


Worley provided an update into the investigation, saying the shooting appears to have stemmed from a dispute between two small groups.

"One individual was a target of two individuals who had weapons. We don't believe that individual was hit. We believe the five victims who were struck were unintended targets," Worley said.

The police commissioner said investigators learned that a third person pulled a weapon but it was unknown whether shots were fired from that weapon.

"We don't know how many of those were fired because, mainly, all the ballistics was relatively the same, and we have to do a deeper dive with our (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) partners," Worley said.

Raw video below: Overnight news conference (1:30 a.m.)

Victims shot during homecoming festivities​

Morgan State University President David Wilson posted a statement on the university's website Wednesday morning, saying shots were fired on campus after the coronation of Mr. and Ms. Morgan State University in the vicinity of the Murphy Fine Arts Center and Thurgood Marshall Hall.

"What happened on our campus was such a senseless act of violence perpetrated on our community," Wilson wrote. "It was so disappointing to learn of what took place especially after what was a family filled and fun evening of celebrating the pageantry and beauty of our students. But rest assured, our Morgan family is strong, and we will march on with determination to keep moving on."

According to university police, officers on patrol heard the first shots around 9:25 p.m., received the first calls around 9:27 p.m. and started sending alerts to the campus community around 9:30 p.m.

The shooting prompted the university to issue several shelter-in-place alerts. Worley said multiple windows were shattered, prompting police to activate active shooter response protocols. Authorities lifted the shelter-in-place alerts around 12:30 a.m. after, Worley said, police SWAT units cleared campus buildings twice over.

Some homecoming events canceled, others postponed​

The university announced late Wednesday afternoon that most remaining homecoming events are canceled, but the football game and the homecoming gala will be postponed.

Canceled homecoming events include the homecoming concert, the silent headphones party, the homecoming pep rally, the homecoming parade, the Lady Bear Volleyball match and all other on-campus events.

Additionally, all classes are canceled for the remainder of the week.

The school said it intends to "aggressively increase security measures on campus."

"I feel like it's unfortunate that the gun violence prevented us having our Homecoming events," student Yahasantewaa Williams said.

"There's that feeling like, 'What if something else happens?' But I'm just trying to remain positive. That's all I can do," student Madisyn Nicholas said.

"Our prayers are with our Morgan community as we navigate this tragic event during a time which we really should be celebrating our national treasure during homecoming," Wilson said.

Students question campus safety​

With classes canceled Wednesday, the campus extremely quiet was somber after the chaos the night before.

"I was shaken up last night, but I'm just trying to move forward. (I) can't let it dwell. It's homecoming week. (I'm) just trying to keep with the spirit," said Madisyn Nicholas, a student. "There's that feeling of, 'What if something else happens?' But I'm trying to remain positive. We're all very shaken up. We're all trying to process what happened because we don't know what happened."

"I'm disappointed, but we just trying to get through it right now. A lot of students are grieving. A lot of people are crying. Last night was a tough situation all the way around," said Jamal Edwards, a student.

Video below: Some students question campus safety

"It's pretty sad, unexpected, to be honest. Hopefully, everybody is doing good," said Bummi Ogundahansi, a student. "I don't (feel safe), but I have to still come here, live my life. Morgan is a very safe place, but things like this happen. (We) have to come together and talk about getting through it together."

"A lot of people are scared and nervous, and people are going home. People don't know how to react. They're just trying to shelter themselves inside their rooms, scared to come outside. They don't really know what to do," said Daeshawn Litchmore, a student.

The university is making counseling and support services available by calling 800-422-0009 or 443-885-3130 or by going to this website.

"Please understand that the safety of our campus is of the utmost importance and our resolve in ensuring that we have a secure campus is paramount," Wilson wrote Wednesday afternoon. "We are aggressively increasing security measures on campus, further amplifying additional security measures that have been implement in recent years."

Governor, mayor speak to gun violence​

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said his office is monitoring the situation and is in touch with officials on campus.

"We have offered, and will continue to offer, every state resource available for both understanding and justice for what happened yesterday, and also dealing with the very real fact that Morgan State will have a healing process that they're going to have to go through," Moore said at Wednesday's Board of Public Works meeting. "This happened to fall on homecoming week, a week that was supposed to be a celebratory week. A week where we celebrate the fact that our state is blessed to have a national treasure like Morgan State University."

Video below: Mayor leads community walk targeting gun violence

The governor said society must address why guns are easily accessible and why it's so easy for those who have firearms to be willing to shoot others.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott spoke overnight and Wednesday morning on gun violence as a national issue, saying action is needed immediately.

"We have kids at college who were shot and this happens time and time again, not just in Baltimore, but in Washington, D.C., in New York, in Atlanta, in city after city after city after city, and it's been happening that way for decades, and we have to deal with this issue nationally," Scott said. "We have to get serious about guns."