Five bystanders were shot during homecoming week events at Morgan State University on Wednesday morning, triggering a manhunt by Baltimore police.
Authorities in Baltimore believe the victims were “unintended targets” in what was “probably a dispute between two smaller groups,” Police Commissioner Richard Worley said at a press conference on Wednesday.
He confirmed that four of the victims are Morgan State University students, and that one of them has been released from the hospital. According to campus police, all five victims (four men and one woman) were treated at the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Despite the fact that investigators are still examining ballistic data to determine how many weapons were discharged, Worley stated on Wednesday that police are aware of “more than one person with a weapon” at the scene.
He said that a fight between two smaller groups resulted in one guy being targeted by two people armed with firearms. We have no reason to believe that individual was hit. We have grounds to believe that the five persons slain were not intentional targets.
Worley added that a third person had pulled a handgun while the ballistics investigation was happening.
For the first time in Morgan State history, President David Wilson said on Wednesday afternoon that all homecoming activities will be canceled or postponed until those responsible “for this atrocity have been found and brought to justice.” For the homecoming celebration, there was a pep rally, a parade, and a concert.
Classes will also be canceled for the rest of the week, according to his message.
As a result of the incident, he remarked, “we are aggressively increasing security measures on campus.” “Today, we unfortunately find ourselves navigating this tragic event during a time at which we should be celebrating,” he stated.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott stated during a news conference on Wednesday, “last night, we had a very, very difficult, tragic, and traumatic situation at Morgan State University.”
He continued, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Morgan, particularly the victims and their loved ones.”
