Authorities at Morgan State University in Baltimore reported a shooting outside a residential hall on Tuesday that left five people injured, none of whom were in severe condition. They advised students to seek shelter on the campus of the historically Black university.
When did the Shooting take place
Around 9:30 p.m, According to the Baltimore Police Department, there was an “active shooter situation” with police present. Police put the school under lockdown for hours while giving little details about their investigation. A residential block next to a municipal police station had its windows broken by the gunshots.
The five victims, four men and one female, are all between the ages of 18 and 22, according to police commissioner Richard Worley. He informed the media during a late-night press conference that their wounds are not life-threatening.
Four of the victims, according to Morgan State Police Chief Lance Hatcher, were university students.
Around 9.25 p.m. local time, police arrived to noises of gunfire at the school. In addition to the wounded, they found several broken windows, which prompted an active shooter alert and a shelter-in-place order.
Students, & Parents’ response
The coronation ball was about to begin when Konnor Crowder, a student from Baltimore, and his companions noticed people rushing across the campus.
He explained how he had first wondered what they were running for, then wondered if he and his friends should run as well.
Parents assembled at a media staging area in front of the campus’ south gate. Alumni of Morgan State James Willoughby, whose daughter is a freshman, stated he wouldn’t leave until he saw her. I’m going to stay here till I can really see her, he said.
Glenmore Blackwood visited the school after learning about the incident from his son, a senior, who informed him that the shooting had taken place as the coronation celebrations were coming to an end.
According to Mr. Blackwood, his son was taking refuge in the arts center’s auditorium. He participated in the event by singing, and he intended to lead a prayer meeting afterwards.
Police Investigations
On the ground in front of the building close to the dorm where the incident took place, orange evidence markers could be observed. Police surrounded the area with yellow crime tape and searched for evidence with spotlights.
Officers had closed off the south entrance to the campus near the dorms on Tuesday night as a police helicopter flew overhead.
Even though there were no publicized arrests and the authorities withheld any information on suspects, the active shooter alert ended after two hours.
Officials’ Response
David Wilson, the president of Morgan State University, said that he had canceled classes on Wednesday.
According to the university’s website, which has 9,000 students enrolled, it was established in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute with the intended goal of preparing men for ministry. It relocated to its current location in northeast Baltimore in 1917, and the state of Maryland acquired it in 1939 in an effort to expand possibilities for Black residents.
City Councilwoman Odette Ramos stated how this is terrible for Baltimore and the campus and Everyone involved in the incident are going through a lot of pain right now. Ramos district also covers a portion of the Morgan State campus.
Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, said on the social media platform X that his office was informed of the shooting, He tweeted stating that Moore and his team are in close contact with officials on the ground and are monitoring the situation. Following the retraction of the active shooter alert, He also expressed his gratitude for the heroic first responders who were present at the scene and actively worked to ensure safety.
