Developing: A shooting at a Morgan State University campus building in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday evening left multiple people injured, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and a campus lockdown.
Authorities responded to the scene at the Student Success Center around 8:30 p.m. EDT, according to Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley.Initial reports indicated an active shooter, leading to a widespread search of the campus. As of 10:30 p.m. EDT, police confirmed that the suspect had been taken into custody.
At least four individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and were transported to local hospitals.Their conditions are currently unknown. Additional injuries were reported from individuals who sustained injuries while attempting to flee the scene.The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Morgan State University, a historically Black university (HBCU) with approximately 9,000 students, promptly initiated a lockdown, urging students and staff to shelter in place. The lockdown was lifted around 11:00 p.m. EDT after the campus was cleared. classes have been canceled for the remainder of Tuesday and Wednesday,October 4th and 5th.
The Baltimore Police Department, along with the FBI and othre law enforcement agencies, are conducting a thorough inquiry into the shooting. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the incident and are reviewing security footage and interviewing witnesses.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott addressed the public, expressing his concern and vowing to provide support to the Morgan state community. “We are deeply disturbed by the violence that occurred tonight at Morgan State University,” Scott stated. “The city will offer all necessary resources to assist the university and its students.”
This incident occurs amidst a backdrop of increasing concerns about gun violence on college campuses across the United States. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 400 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2023, defined as incidents where four or more people are shot or killed, excluding the shooter. HBCUs, in particular, have experienced a rise in threats and incidents of violence in recent years, prompting calls for increased security measures and resources.
Morgan State University was founded in 1867 and is one of the oldest HBCUs in the nation. The university has a long history of academic excellence and community engagement. Counseling services are being made available to students, faculty, and staff affected by the shooting. Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact the Baltimore Police Department.
