A shooting incident at a small university in eastern North Carolina resulted in one fatality and six injuries, leading to a campus lockdown early Sunday morning, according to a statement on the university's website. The gunfire erupted around 12:30 a.m. at the heart of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) following the Yard Fest, the culmination of the week-long Viking Fest celebration, as announced by the institution.
The victim, a 24-year-old man who was not affiliated with the university, was pronounced dead. His identity has been withheld pending family notification. During the chaos, six individuals were injured; four sustained gunshot wounds, including three students, while others were hurt in the ensuing commotion. Fortunately, none of the injuries are considered life-threatening, and all the injured were transported to a local hospital for medical care.
Elizabeth City State University, which serves 2,300 students and is situated roughly 50 miles south of Norfolk, Virginia, initiated a lockdown that was lifted a few hours later after law enforcement deemed the campus secure. Details about the alleged shooter have yet to be disclosed.
The ECSU Police Department is collaborating with the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office, the Camden County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation in an active investigation. As a precaution, ECSU has increased patrols across the campus.
"The university is deeply saddened by this senseless act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all members of the Viking community affected by this tragedy," stated university authorities. They also urged anyone with information about the incident to contact University Police at 252-335-3266.
This tragic event comes just a week after a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) shocked the Florida community. Roberto Morales, a Cuban-American residing in Miami-Dade and a staff member at FSU, was fatally wounded. Morales, who was also the founder of Gordos Cuban Cuisine restaurant in Tallahassee, was well-known in the local community. His death was confirmed by his family on social media, sparking a wave of solidarity and mourning among Cuban-American communities in Florida.
The day following the incident, authorities identified a second victim, Tiru Chabba, a 45-year-old man, husband, and father of two from Greenville, South Carolina. The shooter was identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at the university and the son of a Leon County Sheriff's deputy.
FAQs on Recent University Shootings
What led to the shooting at Elizabeth City State University?
The shooting occurred after the Yard Fest, the final event of the Viking Fest celebration at ECSU. Details about the motive or the shooter have not been disclosed yet.
Who were the victims in the Florida State University shooting?
Roberto Morales, a Cuban-American and FSU staff member, and Tiru Chabba, a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, were the victims of the FSU shooting.
How is ECSU responding to the shooting incident?
ECSU has increased campus patrols and is cooperating with multiple law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation to ensure campus safety.