At least five people have been shot near the campus of Morgan State University on Tuesday, Baltimore Police said.
Police said four men and a woman, aged between 18-22, suffered non-threatening injuries in the shooting. Four of the five victims are Morgan State University students.
Baltimore City councilman Ryan Dorsey announced on his social media that “it’s believed there were three shooters firing into the crowd, none apprehended or ID’d at this time”.
“The entire city of Baltimore’s heart aches for the Morgan community, for the victims and their families and for our city as a whole,” Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott said late on Tuesday.
Baltimore Police earlier posted on X/Twitter on Tuesday night that “there is an active shooter situation at Morgan State University. Students and staff are ordered to shelter in place and the public should avoid the area. We will send updates.”
Police told 11 News that one of the suspects fled into a dorm building and they were working to clear the dorm and apprehend the alleged shooter.
An official speaking to WBAL TV later said the incident was no longer being treated as an active shooter situation but did not specify whether anyone had been taken into custody, only saying that police were investigating.
Students and staff were asked to continue to shelter in place until further notice from the police.
Morgan State University also issued a statement on X/Twitter, which read: “An active investigation is currently underway related to a report of shots being fired on or near campus. Please stay clear of the area surrounding Thurgood Marshall Hall and the Murphy Fine Arts Center and shelter in place.”
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has sent special agents to the scene to assist Baltimore Police, according to reports.
Baltimore City councilwoman Odette Ramos told WJZ that she was “horrified” when she heard of the shooting.
“It’s been a sad, sad evening, especially since Morgan has homecoming coming up, and that is usually a big celebration of how wonderful campus is and still is,” she said.
An ATF officer searches for evidence in front of a building at Morgan State University after a shooting, Wednesday, 4 October 2023 in Baltimore— (AP)
Ms Ramos said she was relieved to find out that the gunshot victims would be able to recover from their injuries. “I’m here to show my support to the students.”
Two students who were leaving a Morgan State University event on Tuesday night said they saw bullets hit a window as they left the building.
“Everybody started running. It was chaos,” one student was quoted as saying by WBAL TV.
The shooting took place soon after the coronation of Miss and Mr Morgan State University — a popular event that takes place each year during homecoming week.
Morgan State posted on X/Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday that there would be no classes on Wednesday.
“In light of last evening’s shooting that occurred on campus and in the abundance of caution, University Administration has decided to cancel all classes today, Wednesday, October 4, 2023,” a statement read.
Morgan State is a historically Black university which currently has over 9,000 students enrolled for this semester, according to a report by the Washington Post.
Its campus has the capacity to accommodate approximately 2,600 individuals.
The university proudly identifies itself as one of the most diverse Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country, and it holds the distinction of being the largest such institution in Maryland, according to its website.
