Morgan State University Cancels Homecoming Following Campus Shooting
Homecoming festivities have been canceled at Morgan State University as law enforcement continues its search for the suspect responsible for a campus shooting.
On Wednesday (Oct. 4), President David Wilson announced the Baltimore-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) would not hold anticipated annual celebrations due to “the most unfortunate of events.”
“Regarding homecoming, regrettably for the very first time in Morgan’s history all activities planned around homecoming will be either cancelled or postponed until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice,” explains Wilson in the memo.
Events fully terminated include the homecoming concert, a silent headphones party, and the homecoming pep rally. Classes have also been canceled for at least the remainder of the week. The football game will be rescheduled.
“We arrived at this decision after very careful—and at times emotional—deliberation with key stakeholders within our University community including members of my administration, student leaders from SGA [Student Government Association] and our University Council.”
The shooting occurred at MSU on Tuesday night as homecoming activities began to capture the spirit of the campus. Five people, including four students, were wounded in the violent act. Local police as well as federal agents were called after campus police heard gunfire.
According to Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley, the shooting victims were four men and one woman, ranging between 18 and 22 years old. Investigators detailed their belief that the shooting took place outside, but did not initially confirm if there was more than one shooter.
Students were allowed to return to their dorms following the Baltimore SWAT team clearing the area after sheltering in place for the duration of the sweep.
According to ABC News, BPD has released the surveillance video identifying suspects in the mass shooting. Worley defined the event as “a dispute between two smaller groups, and one individual was a target of two individuals who had weapons.” The news outlet reports none of the individuals shot were the intended victims.
“We’re going to continue to be here to support Morgan State University,” shared Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. “We are going to be here to support this school and these families during this tragedy.”
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